AMERICAN AND FOREIGN 

PATENTS 




A Book 

of Information and Advice 

for Inventors 

PUBLISHED AND COPYRIGHTED, 1905 
BY 

GEORGE S. VASHON & CO. 

Attorneys at Law 

Solicitors of United States and Foreign 

Patents, Trade- Marks, Copyrights, etc. 

Patent Practice Exclusively 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

SEE INDEX TO CONTENTS IN BACK OF BOOK 



JRARYOf GOiNSHtSS 
WO Copies lieceiveu 

JUN 30 1905 

, Oopyrignt tntry 

oyyUi30,/£fo-S\ 

JiSS CL XXc 

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COPY B. 







PREFACE 



DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS IN PATENT MATTERS. 
In presenting this book to you, we believe it our duty to impress upon you 
the dangers incident to any delay, no matter of how short duration, in the 
filing of your application in the United States Patent Office. Many valuable 
inventions and their probable proceeds have been lost to their inventors by a 
delay in the filing of their applications, as such delays have permitted un- 
scrupulous persons, who have gained a knowledge of such inventions, to pro- 
cure patents and reap the benefits from inventions which do not belong to them. 
This delay has also permitted inventors, who conceived their inventions after the 
conception by the original inventors, to procure patents and thus probably 
defeat the issuance of patents to the original inventors. This subject is more 
fully explained on pages 24 and 25 relating to "Interferences." 

INVENTIONS ARE GOOD INVESTMENTS. 

We beg to direct your attention to the fact that no other class of invest- 
ments offer like chances for profits as are offered by American and Foreign 
patents procured upon inventions of merit. It cannot be said of any invention 
that it does not possess merit, as it has been our experience that most, if not all 
inventors who have protected their inventions by patents, have profited by their 
investments. 

OBJECT OF THIS PUBEICATION. 

The object of this publication is to fully instruct you how to get a patent 
upon your invention in our country and all foreign countries, as letters written 
in the ordinary course of business, in reply to inquiries, are necessarily too 
brief to give the information you should have before filing your application. A 
further object is to impress upon you the importance of properly protecting 
your invention, that is, your patent should issue upon claims which will protect 
your invention, and not upon claims_ which will permit a slight change in the 
invention to evade the patent. An invention which is properly protected will 
permit you to sue and procure damages from any person who manufactures your 
invention or device substantially the same. 

SELECTING AN ATTORNEY. 
As your financial success will depend upon the strength of the claims of 
your patent, you should be careful to select a competent attorney to procure your 
patent. As an attorney who resides in Washington has the advantage of inter- 
course personally with the Patent Office Examiner, who will handle your case 
and decide whether or not you are entitled to a patent, and as he has also the 
important advantage of ready access to the valuable records of the Patent 
Office, you should select an attorney who resides in Washington. A further 
reason why you should select such attorney is that he can argue personally the 
merits of your invention before the Examiner, such arguments being more con- 
vincing than written arguments sent through mails. 

WRITE FOR INFORMATION. 
If you have not the time to read the contents of this book, you should 
preserve it for future reference, and write us, and upon receipt of your letter we 
will take pleasure in writing and giving you all the information you desire. 
We make this statement in order that you will not hesitate to write us at 
any time you desire to learn anything regarding the patent business or any 
information relating to your invention or any patents. We will not make any 
charge for this information. 

We are experienced patent attorneys and are fully capable of handling 
properly all work entrusted to our care, and we have every facility for pro- 
curing patents promptly. 

Yours truly, 





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OFFICES: ROOMS 807-808, WASHINGTON LOAN AND TRUST BUILDING 
COR. 9th and F STS., N. W., WASHINGTON, D. C. 

GEORGE S. VASHON & CO. 



Patients Guarante;ed. 



HOW TO GET A PATENT 

If you have an invention for which you desire to secure protec- 
tion by letters-patent, forward a sketch, photograph or model of same 
to us, and you will be advised if a patent can probably be obtained. 
If your invention can be fully shown by a sketch or photograph, a 
model will not be required. On receipt of the sketch, photograph or 
model, we will carefully look into your invention and advise you, 
free of charge, whether we think it is new and patentable, our views 
being based upon our experience with such matters. Our opinion, 
therefore, you will see, is in the nature of an expert guess, and, 
while in some cases we can come pretty close to telling exactly what 
can be done, yet it is, as a rule, unsafe to depend upon a mere opin- 
ion, as in most cases it is advisable to rely only upon a special search 
of the Patent Office records. The cost of this special search of the 
record is $5. 

Many classifications of the Patent Office are very large, involv- 
ing, in some instances, the necessity of examining more than a thou- 
sand different patents, often requiring several days to complete the 
search. You will, therefore, see the importance of the special exam- 
ination and that its cost is a good investment for you to make, as 
further action is unnecessary, should we find your invention antici- 
pated, while, on the other hand, should nothing be found to stand in 
your way, you can proceed at once to take out a patent for your 
improvements, and can do so with full confidence of success. Thus 
you will observe that a preliminary examination is of great value to 
the inventor, preventing the loss oftentimes resulting from filing an 
application without first making such investigation, and also enabling 
the inventor to modify or change his invention to avoid conflicting 
with patents previously granted, if any. Furthermore, we will not 
guarantee a patent without first making this examination. 

OUR GUARANTEE CERTIFICATE OF PATENTABILITY. 

After we have made this special search of the Patent Office 
records, we will advise you whether or not your invention is patent- 
able, and, if patentable, we accompany our report with a certificate, 
which not only certifies that, in our opinion, based upon a careful 
and thorough search of the Patent Office records), the invention is 



George S. Vashon & Co.^ Washington, D. C. 



patentable, but also supports such opinion with an agreement to return 
to you the amount of the fee paid us for preparing and prosecuting 
your application for patent in case of our failure to secure you a 
patent. In brief, we give you a substantial guarantee that our search 
was most thorough and reliable, and demonstrate our own confidence 
in our work. 

The importance of this guarantee certificate to an inventor seek- 
ing financial aid from friends or others to pay the expense of secur- 
ing a patent has been fully proven. 

Those who advance money under such circumstances usually 
want something more than an ofif-hand opinion that the invention 
is patentable, and if the inventor can satisfy them that the patent 
will be granted, or, if not granted, that the attorney's fee advanced 
will be returned in full, there is little difficulty in procuring the re- 
quired assistance, if needed. 

THE COST OF A PATENT. 

Attorney's Fee $25 00 

Patent Office Drawing (one sheet) 5 00 

First Government Fee 15 00 

Final Government Fee 20 00 

Total $65 00 

In cases of a complicated or difficult nature the total cost of the 
patent will be more than above stated ; the drawings costing more 
and the attorney's fee increased in accordance with the amount of 
labor which the case requires, the Government fees being the same 
in all cases. 

In intricate cases where the cost exceeds the above scale you will 
be so informed before we proceed. 

If you file an application for patent through us, the $5 sent us 
for the examination or search as to patentability will be credited on 
our fee for the preparation and prosecution of the application which, 
as above stated, in an ordinary case, is $25 — thus leaving only 
$20 to pay on the attorney's fee, and this $20 is the amount we 
agree to return in event of failure to get a patent, and as pro- 
vided in our guarantee certificate. If we report that a patent can 
be secured, the balance of our fee ($20) must be remitted to us and 



Patents Guaranteed. 



upon the receipt of this we will prepare the application papers and 
forward thein to you for your approval and execution, together with a 
blue print of the drawings, the latter we furnish free of charge. 

When the papers have been executed and are ready for filing, the 
first Government fee of $15, and $5 to defray the cost of one sheet 
of a Patent Office drawing, making $20 in all, will be due. Thus it will 
be seen that the entire cost of filing an application through us on a 
simple invention is but $45. The application will be prosecuted to an 
early conclusion, and when the patent is allowed notice will be sent 
you, after which you will have six months to pay the final Govern- 
ment fee of $20. 

THE APPLICATION. 

The application papers include the petition, specification, oath, 
and, where possible, drawings, which to secure attention, must be 
filed in the Patent Office together with the first Government fee of 
$15. As soon as the application is filed you will be protected against 
the grant, without your knowledge, of a patent for the same thing to 
another person. After the application has been filed we send you the 
official filing receipt. The specification should contain a clear, concise 
and accurate description of the device and its operation; the advan- 
tages and conveniences should also appear. To this should be sub- 
joined a condensed statement of the invention in the form of one or 
more claims embodying all its novel features. 

THE CLAIMS. 
The actual value of a patent is measured by the character of 
its claims. While formerly the impression prevailed to a great ex- 
tent that the essential thing to insure protection was a patent of some 
kind, the manufacturing public has been educated to understand that 
the vital and all-important part of a patent is its claims. If the claims 
are narrow and restricted, the patent is comparatively worthless ; 
and on the other hand, if the invention is valuable and well covered 
by broad and comprehensive claims, the patent is readily indorsed 
by manufacturers, their consulting counsel, and meets with prompt 
sale and adoption. If patents were properly prepared at the outset, 
the number of patent suits would be greatly decreased, as the rights 
of the patentee would stand out in such unmistakable language in 
the claims that rival parties would not care to trench upon the 
clearly defined rights of the patentee. 



George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



Experienced inventors and patentees appreciate the importance 
of having their applications for patent intelligently prepared, and 
skillfully prosecuted. 

The Supreme Court of the United States (case of Topliff vs. 
Toplifif — 1892) in an opinion by Mr. Justice Brown, makes this state- 
ment : 

"The specification and claims of a patent, particularly if the invention be 
at all complicated, constitute one of the most difficult legal instruments to draw 
with accuracy, and in view of the fact that valuable inventions are often placed 
in the hands of inexperienced persons, to prepare such specifications and claims, 
it is no matter of surprise that the latter frequently fail to describe with requisite 
certainty the exact invention of tlie patentee, and err either in claiming that which 
the patentee had not in fact invented, or in omitting some element which was a 
valuable or essential part of his actual invention." 

This comment from the highest legal authority in the United 
States is an injunction and a warning to inventors to entrust their 
business only to experienced counsel. 

Special training and experience are required to properly prepare 
an application and prosecute it to allowance upon the best possible 
claims. 

To secure a patent is one thing, but to secure a patent that will 
stand subsequent judicial investigation, and effectually protect the 
patentee against imitators or evaders, is a different undertaking. 

While the Examiners of the Patent Office are, to an extent, 
judicial officers, they at the same time stand in the position of attor- 
neys for the Government, and strenuously oppose the granting of 
broad, sweeping claims if there is any ground for opposition, since 
any laxity on the part of the applicant in claiming his invention 
inures to the benefit of the public whom the Examiner represents. 
And if an applicant for patent presents limited claims which do not 
amply protect his invention, instead of claims of sufficient legal scope 
to prevent the appropriation of the invention by imitators and in- 
fringers, it is not a part of the duty of the Patent Office to suggest 
the presentation of broader claims, but to allow the application upon 
the claims of record. 

In brief, the inventor is presumed to know what he has invented 
and to understand the scope of the claims filed ; and in case of litiga- 
tion the courts cannot broaden the scope of a claim beyond the obvi- 
ous meaning of the language employed. 

As above stated by the Supreme Court "valuable inventions are 
often placed in the hands of inexperienced persons," and it is a mat- 
ter of common knowledge that many applications fo'- patent are pre- 



Patents Guaranteed. 



as 



pared by persons who have had no legal training, and who conse 
quently have no appreciation of the legal scope of patent claims a 
defined and established by the courts. 

In this connection we will say that specifications for applications 
for patent, as well as all other legal documents emanating from our 
office, are prepared by lawyers of experience, who are specialists in 
patent law. 



PROSECUTING THE CASE BEFORE THE PATENT OFFICE. 

A well prepared specification and well executed drawings greatly 
expedite the allowance of an application by the Patent Office, as the 
Examiner is thus relieved of annoyance and unnecessary work in the 
examination of the case. 

The Patent Office Examiners appreciate good work on the part 
of the attorney, and when a specification fully and intelligently sets 
forth the invention, and presents claims of proper form and scope, 
much unnecessary labor and correspondence are avoided, and the 
Examiner's whole attention can be given to the search required, to 
determine the novelty of the invention, instead of to criticising the 
description and claims. 

On the other hand, a case which is poorly and incorrectly pre- 
pared entails upon the Examiner much study and extra labor in 
determining just what the applicant is seeking to claim; and loosely 
drawn specifications and inferior drawings naturally have a tendency 
to prejudice the Examiner in his action. 

It is obvious that when an invention is well shown, described and 
claimed, no criticism on rhe part of the Patent Office is required, 
except such as may affect the scope of the claims based upon prior 
patents, which the Examiner may find in his search, and the points 
at issue between the applicant and the Examiner are quickly defined 
and may be speedily determined, if the attorney resides in Washing- 
ton. 

THE OFFICIAL DRAWINGS. 

Next in importance to the proper preparation of the specification 
and claims comes the Patent Office drawings. 

During the preparation of the application for patent, it sometimes 
becomes necessary to prepare more than one sheet of drawings to 
illustrate the invention as required by the rules and regulations of 




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SPECIMEN PATENT OFFICE DRAWING 



Patents Guaranteed. 



the Patent Office. In such cases the usual expense of filing an appli- 
cation is increased proportionately to each additional sheet of drawing 
required. Our experience teaches us that it is money well spent to 
show every detail of an invention by large, clear, well executed draw- 
ings. By this means we facilitate examinations in the Patent Office 
and invariably secure the most satisfactory results in the shortest 
period of time. 

We are fully aware of the importance of having the drawings 
prepared by the most skillful and experienced draftsmen obtainable. 
In all cases entrusted to us the drawings are made under our personal 
supervision by draftsmen in our constant employ, and every pre- 
caution is taken that the inventions be fully and clearly shown by 
different views so as to be readily understood by the Examiners of 
the Patent Office and comprehended by the public when the patent 
is granted. 

This book contains samples of Patent Office drawings showing 
the character of work furnished our clients. We make a specialty, 
as shown in the drawings, of illustrating the application of the 
invention, pictorially, whenever practicable. The value of well exe- 
cuted pictorial drawings does not end with the proper showing of 
the invention for the purpose of the patent, but copies of the patent 
can be had in any quantity by the inventor for use in bringing his 
invention before manufacturers and capitalists, and much depends 
upon the impression given by the drawings. If the invention is well 
illustrated, the inventor has in his patent a suitable cut for use in 
advertising and for other purposes, and photo-engraved plates can 
be produced by us from these drawings. No cut will be made for less 
than $4.00. 

TERM OF THE PATENT. 

Patents are granted in this country for the term of seventeen 
years and no longer, during which time the patentee has the exclusive 
right to make, use, and sell the patented invention. 

TIME NECESSARY TO SECURE A PATENT. 

It is impossible to state with certainty the time required to secure 
the allowance of patents. This varies with the division in the Patent 
Office to which the application is referred. There are thirty-eight of 



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SPECIMEN PATENT OFFICE DRAWING 



Patents Guaranteed. 



these divisions, and each one is more or less in arrears with its work. 
It usually takes, however, from two to three months to procure a 
patent. 

We make it a point to be prompt with our correspondence, and 
preparation of the requisite papers and drawings. Each case is filed 
at the earliest possible moment, and as they are taken up for ex- 
amination by the Patent Office officials in the order they were filed, 
there is absolutely no delay. 

WHO CAN APPLY FOR PATENT. 

Citizens, foreigners, women, minors and the administrators of 
deceased inventors, may obtain patents. There is no distinction as 
to nativity, persons or charges. 

JOINT APPLICATIONS. 

Two or more persons may apply jointly for a patent if they are 
joint inventors. If one person is the inventor and the other only 
a partner, the patent must be applied for in the name of the inventor 
alone; but he may secure his partner in advance by executing a deed 
of conveyance so drawn that the patent will be issued in both 
names. It is of the greatest importance that the true position of joint 
applicants should be thoroughly understood by the attorney, in order 
that he may prepare the papers so as to properly protect the interests 
of both parties. If both applicants are inventors, they should both sign 
the application papers, but if they are joint owners merely, the inven- 
tor alone should sign the application papers, and assign the proper 
interest to the other party. A patent would not be valid in which one 
of the parties interested had signed the application papers without 
being a co-inventor. 

WHAT MAY BE PATENTED. 

A patent may be granted for: (i) any new and useful art or 
process; (2) any new and useful machine; (3) any new and useful 
manufacture; (4) any new and useful composition of matter; (5) 
any new and useful improvement thereof; provided the art, machine, 
manufacture, composition of matter, or improvement thereof, for 



George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



which a patent is desired, was not known or used by others, in this 
country, and has not been patented or described in any printed pub- 
lication in this or any foreign country, before the appHcant's inven- 
tion or discovery thereof, and has not been in public use or on sale 
for more than two years prior to his application, unless the same is 
proved to have been abandoned. 



MANUFACTURING UNDER PATENT APPLIED FOR. 

Every inventor has the right, when he has an application for pat- 
ent pending in the Patent Office to manufacture and sell his goods, 
and to mark them "Patent Applied For." 

It is better, however, not to exploit your invention until your 
patent issues, as there is a danger of an interference being declared 
in the Patent Office. Furthermore, in most foreign countries patents 
are granted to the first applicant, whether the inventor or not, and 
the inventor is likely to lose his right to obtain foreign patents 
thereon, as some one seeing his invention on the market in the United 
States, may proceed to patent it in foreign countries. 



OBTAINING ASSISTANCE. 

Where an inventor has not the means to procure a patent for 
his invention or to file a caveat, we would suggest that he endeavor 
to interest some one in his vicinity to whom he can personally explain 
the merits of his invention, and agree to assign to such a person a 
part interest therein, in consideration of the fees necessary to secure 
a patent. When this has been efifected we shall be glad to prepare the 
rquired assignment. Our guarantee Certificate of Patentability has 
been of great assistance to inventors without funds, as it gives the 
capitalists the necessary assurance of patentability as well as an 
obligation to return the money advanced, in case of failure to secure 
a patent. In order to protect his interests while seeking to interest 
capital in his invention, we recommend that the inventor forward us 
sketches and description, duly witnessed, of his invention, which 
we will place in our secret files, and in case an attempt should be 
made to pirate the invention, we would then be in a position to pro- 
tect the rights of the inventor. 



Patents Guaranteed. is 



ASSIGNMENTS. 

An inventor may sell and assign his invention either before or 
after application for patent has been made, or after the patent has 
been issued. He may sell or assign any portion, such as one-fifth 
or one-half interest in the patent, or a town, county, or state right, 
or he may grant the right to manufacture on a royalty. If assigned 
before the patent is granted, the purchaser will enjoy the right under 
the patent whenever it is issued. Trade marks, copyrights and labels 
can also be assigned. 

Every assignment affecting the title of a patent, trade-mark or 
label must be recorded in the United States Patent Office. Assign- 
ments of copyrights have to be recorded with the Librarian of Con- 
gress. Those who desire to have assignments of patents or licenses, 
or assignments for trade-marks, labels or copyrights drawn in proper 
form and recorded, will please communicate with us, stating the full 
names and residences of the parties, the shares to be conveyed, the 
title of the invention, and if already patented the date of the patent. 
Also remit $5.00, which is the cost of preparing, filing and recording 
the assignment. 

THE VALUE OF ATTORNEYS. 

The inventor will see the advantage to be derived from placing 
his business in the hands of those only who are specially skilled in this 
class of work. 

The inventor should never endeavor to prepare his own applica- 
tion. He is apt to leave valuable features of his invention unclaimed, 
and attach undue importance to some immaterial feature. Although 
he may have a good education, and a quick perception, and some 
knowledge of patent matters, he cannot have the necessary experi- 
ence to insure absolute accuracy. This work should be done by a 
skilled and experienced patent lawyer. A claim properly drawn may 
mean wealth to the inventor, whereas one improperly drawn gen- 
erally means the total loss of the invention. 

So important are the services of a reliable, trustworthy and skill- 
ful attorney to inventors that the Commissioner of Patents has, in 
the "Rules of Practice," issued this general warning: "As the value 
of patents depends largely upon the careful preparation of the specifi- 



i6 Georgi; S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



cation and claims, the assistance of a competent counsel will, in most 
cases, be of advantage to the applicant, but the value of their ser- 
vices will be proportionate to their skill and honesty, and too much 
care cannot be exercised in their selection." 



CAVEATS. 

The purpose of a Caveat is to protect the Inventor while he is 
working out the incomplete details of his discovery. It should set 
forth as clearly as possible the general construction, operation and 
purpose of the invention. If you have completed your invention you 
should file an application for Patent at once, for under such circum- 
stances the filing of a Caveat would involve a needless expense. 

The filing of a Caveat gives you immediate protection against 
anyone filing an application for a Patent for the same invention, and 
is an indestructible official record of proof in establishing the date 
upon which you first made your discovery. 

Caveats, like Patent applications, are guarded with the strictest 
secrecy by us and by the Patent Office, so that it is impossible for 
anyone to have access thereto without your written permit. 

As soon as the Caveat is filed you can manufacture and sell the 
invention under the stamp "Caveat Filed," which is often a valuable 
privilege. The degree of protection afi^orded, however, is limited, 
compared with a Patent application, as you cannot prevent others 
from selling the invention until you are granted a Patent. This fact 
demonstrates the importance of perfecting your device and applying 
for Patent as early as possible. The chief function of the Caveat is 
to make an indestructible and undispiitable oMcial record of the in- 
vention, and such record has proven of immense value to many inven- 
tors. 

A Caveat application consists of a Petition, Specification, Oath 
and Drawing, and its preparation should only be entrusted to a skilled 
Patent Solicitor. 

The total cost of a C.veat, for a simple invention, is $25, being 
$10, Government fee, $10, attorney fee and $5 for drawings. 

Send us sketches, a model or photographs, and write a full de- 
scription of the invention; remit $10, on account, and the complete 
application will be at once prepared and forwarded for your approval 
and execution. 



Patents Guaranteed. 



A Caveat may be renewed from year to year by the payment of 
a Government fee of $io. Our charge for preparation and prosecution 
of Petition for renewal is $2. The total charge of $12 is payable in 
advance. 

PATENTS FOR COMPOUNDS, ETC. 

Cleaning and Polishing Compounds, Cements, Metal Alloys, 
Soaps, Leather Dressings, Fertilizers and Medicines, Hair Dressings, 
Cosmetics, Ointments and the like ; in short, all useful liquid and solid 
mixtures may be patented. 

Instances can be multiplied wherein Patents on new discoveries 
in this line of invention have made millionaires of their owners. 
Patented medicines such as "Green's August B'^lower," "Perry Davis 
Pain Killer," "Ayer's Cherry Pectoral," "Hood's Sarsaparilla," 
"Paine's Celery Compound," and many others are examples, while 
useful compounds like "Sapolio," "Electro-Silicon," "Rising Sun 
Stove Polish," and "Ivory Soap" are "household gods" in our own 
and foreign lands and have netted immense fortunes. 

The total cost of a Patent in this class of cases is $60, $25 of 
which is the attorney's fee, and upon receipt of that amount, to- 
gether with a statement of the quantity and name and particular pur- 
pose of each ingredient used and the manner of compounding same, 
as zvell as a statement of the use of the complete preparation, we pre- 
pare the application papers complete and forward same for your 
approval and execution, to be returned to us with the first Govern- 
ment fee of $15. The final Government fee of $20 may be paid any 
time within six months from the date of allowance. 

Double protection and business advantage is secured by also 
adopting a Trade-Mark and registering the same in the United States 
Patent Office. 

Term of Patent 17 years. 

Term of Trade-Mark, 20 years. 

DESIGN PATENTS. 

The law authorizing the issue of design patents is very broad. 
These patents may be granted '.o any person, who, by his own indus- 
try, genius, effort and expense, has invented or produced any new and 
original design for a manufacture, bust, statue, altorelievo or bas- 
relief; any new or original design for the printing of woolens, silk, 




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SPECIMEN PATENT OFFICE DRAWING, ILLUSTRATING A DESIGN PATENT 



Patents Guaranteed. 



cotton, or other fabrics ; any new and original impression, ornament, 
pattern, print or picture to be printed, painted, cast, or otherwise 
placed on or marked into any article of manufacture; or any new, 
useful, or original ornamentation of any article of manufacture, the 
same not having been known or used by others before his invention 
or production thereof, or patented or described in any printed publi- 
cation. 

All new designs should be protected. Design patents for the 
pattern of a machine, or designs on a machine, can be secured in 
addition to a mechanical patent for the machine itself. These patents 
are never issued for mechanical devices, but only for ornamental 
features. 

In a number of instances large business interests have been built 
up with a design patent as a basis. 

Design patents have been liberally construed by the courts. They 
hold that such a patent covers not only what is shown in the patent, 
but also those things which have a near enough resemblance to 
appear the same to ordinary observers. 

The total cost of a design patent, including Government and 
attorney's fees, and one sheet of drawing, is : 

Attorney Fees. Gov't Fee. Total. 

Patent for 3^ years $20.00 $10.00 $30.00 

" " 7 " 20.00 15.00 35.00 

" "14 " 20.00 30.OD 50.00 

TRADE-MARKS. 

The new Trade-Mark Law passed by Congress, and which went 
into effect April i, 1905, makes it imperative for every one who values 
the protection of his trade-mark to register under this law. 

Under its terms, all trade-marks, whether registered at Washing- 
ton or a Bureau, must be re-registered at Washington in order to 
obtain protection under the new law. 

Heretofore injunctions of courts did not apply outside the imme- 
diate section where they were granted. Under the new law, an 
injunction once secured in any Federal Court extends its force 
throughout every State and Territory in the Union. 

It is further provided that before granting registration the Com- 
missioner shall cause the trade-mark to be published at least once 
in the Ofificial Gazette of the Patent Office, and any person who 



George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



believes that he would be damaged by the registration may oppose 
the same by filing notice of opposition, stating the ground thereof 
within thirty days after the publication of the mark sought to be 
registered. 

The latter provision enables the true owner of the trade-mark 
to prevent his right to its exclusive use from being jeopardized by 
the registration of the same or a similar mark by an applicant who 
may not be entitled to registration. 

The right of appeal is provided, the same as in the case of 
applications for patents, from an adverse decision of the Examiner 
of Trade-Marks or the Examiner of Interferences, as the case may 
be, to the Commissioner in person, and from the Commissioner to 
the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia. 

The life of a certificate of registration is changed from thirty 
years to twenty years, but the certificate of registration may be 
renewed from time to time upon certain conditions, and upon the 
payment of the required fee. The Government fee for registration 
is reduced from $25 to $10. 

Registration will afford prima facie evidence of ownership, and 
any person using any registered trade-mark without the consent of 
the owner thereof \ifill be liable for damages, and on the rendition 
of a verdict for the plaintiff, the court, in its discretion, may enter 
judgment for three times the amount of such verdict. 

The new law affords additional remedies and more complete and 
adequate protection, and in order to give the owners of trade-marks 
previously registered the enlarged benefits under the new law, the 
act makes provision for the re-registration of said trade-marks upon 
payment of the fees. 

Provision is made for the first time for registering trade-marks 
used solely in Interstate Commerce, and the new law is so far- 
reaching and complete in its protection to lawful trade-mark owners 
that registration of a trade symbol or mark will prove of great value 
from a commercial standpoint. 

A trade-mark may consist of any non-descriptive word or words, 
sign, symbol, picture, autograph, monogram, or any combination of 
any or all of them. Descriptive words cannot be registered; for 
instance, "Washing Soap" or "Can Corn" could not be registered, 
but descriptive words combined with non-descriptive words may be 
registered; thus, "Eureka Washington Soap" and "Excelsior Can 
Corn" are properly registrable. 



Patents Guaranteed. 



Sometimes words which are descriptive are combined in, a single 
word and phonetically or fancifully spelled, and in such cases they 
usually constitute a valid trade-mark, but it is the figure or emblem 
that makes the mark valid. A word can be adopted for the trade- 
mark which is suggestive, but not descriptive, and this is often the 
best kind of a mark for particular kinds of goods. The mere name 
of the applicant cannot be registered, but his name, together with a 
device or design, etc., is entitled to registration. Geographical names 
cannot be trade-marked. 

A trade-mark need not be new or original, but it should be new 
to the purpose to which it is applied. Thus a trade-mark on "The 
Rising Sun," applied to flour, would not prevent the registration of 
the same words as applied to stove polish. 

Persons desiring to know whether certain words or devices can 
be registered should send us a copy or description of the mark and 
the class of merchandise on which it is used, including a particular 
description of the goods comprised in such class. Five dollars should 
also be sent as a guarantee of good faith with the above data. We will 
then make a search of the trade-mark records in the United States 
Patent Office and send a full report of the result of the examina- 
tion. We will not make any charge for this search if a trade-mark 
is registered through us, but will credit the $5 advanced on our fee. 

In order that we may be enabled to prepare the application papers 
we should be furnished with the name of the owner, and if a firm 
be the proprietor, the names of the individual members thereof, their 
residences, and places of business. Five specimens of the trade-mark 
as used must be filed with the specification and drawings in the United 
States Patent Office. The right to the use of a trade-mark is assign- 
able in writing and such assignment should be recorded in the Patent 
Office. We prepare these assignments, the cost of preparation and 
recording being $5. 



COST OF TRADE-MARK. 

The Government fee in each case is $10, while our fee, including 
one sheet of drawings and the preparation of the necessary papers, 
is $15 in original cases, and $10 in cases where application is made 
for re-registration. 




V^i\^ne.sAtA 



^mjtnM/. 



Patents Guaranteed. 23 



TRADE-MARK MUST BE USED CONTINUOUSLY. 

A trade-mark is good only so long as it is used, and it must be 
used continuously by the owner in business, and the owner must have 
for sale the goods bearing the mark. 

TRADE-MARKS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 

Trade-marks can be registered in foreign countries having trea- 
ties with the United States. The total cost of procuring trade-marks 
in foreign countries is as follows : 

Great Britain $30.00 

Germany 30.00 

France 25.00 

Austria 30.00 

Russia 40.00 

Italy 35.00 

Spain 30.00 

Belgium 30.00 

Norway 3S.oo 

Sweden 35-oo 

Denmark 35. 00 

Switzerland 25.00 

Canada 40.00 

LABELS. 

Prints and labels to be used in connection with articles of manu- 
facture may be registered in the Patent Office. The certificate of reg- 
istration will continue in force for 28 years. 

The words "prints" and "labels," as used in the act, are nearly 
synonymous, and are defined as any device, picture, word, or words, 
figure, or figures, impressed or stamped directly upon manufactured 
articles, or upon a slip or piece of paper, or other material, to be at- 
tached in any manner to the articles, or to bottles, boxes or packages 
containing them, to indicate the contents of the packages, the name 
of the manufacturer or the place of manufacture, the quantity of 
goods, directions for use, etc. No print or label can be registered 
as such if it contains matter registerable under the trade-mark law, 
in which case a trade-mark should be registered; then the print or 
label embodying the trade-mark may be registered. 

The entire cost of registration under this act, including the Gov- 
ernment fee, is $20.00. Citizens of this country and of certain Euro- 
pean countries having treaties with the United States are entitled to 
the benefits of the act. Registered prints and labels are assignable 
in writing. We prepare such assignments. Cost of preparation and 
recording, $5.00. 



24 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



COPYRIGHTS. 

Many people have a notion that the Copyright Law is intended 
for the benefit of inventors and manufacturers and that a label, print, 
trade-mark, or even sometimes a process or mechanism can be pro- 
tected by copyright. This is a mistaken idea. The Copyright Law 
is for the protection of purely literary or artistic productions, and 
provides that any citizen or resident of the United States who is the 
author, designer or proprietor of any book, map, chart, dramatic or 
musical composition, engraving, cut, print, or photograph, or nega- 
tive thereof, or a painting, drawing, chromo, statuary, models of de- 
signs intended to be perfected as works of fine art, may obtain a 
copyright. 

To secure a copyright the title or description of the book or arti- 
cle must be filed with the Librarian of Congress, on or before the day 
of publication ; and to perfect the copyright two copies of the work 
must be delivered to the Librarian not later than the day of publica- 
tion. 

Persons desiring copyrights should send us their names and resi- 
dences, the title of the book, map, dramatic or musical composition, 
cut, print, or photograph, or a description of the painting, drawing, 
statue, etc., and state whether they claim the right as author, de- 
signer, or proprietor. The work itself need not be sent. The cost 
of a copyright is $5. 

Copyrights may be secured for projected as well as for complete 
works. Each number of a periodical requires a separate copyright. 
The title of a periodical should include the date and number. 

The term of a copyright is 28 years, and it may be renewed within 
six months before the end of that time for a further term of 14 years. 

INTERFERENCES. 

Two or more inventors having applications before the Patent 
Office claiming substantially the same thing are adjudged to interfere. 
To determine who first conceived the invention, it is the duty of the 
attorney for each applicant to take the evidence of his client and sub- 
mit it in proper form, by written and oral argument, before the inter- 
ference tribunal of the Patent Office. This requires the highest skill 
on the part of the attorney, and is one of the most technical and diffi- 
cult branches of Patent practice. 



Patents Guaranteed. 25 



Our long-established business as Patent Attorneys has given us 
broad experience and our prosecution of interference cases has been 
uniformly successful. 

No fixed fee can be quoted, as the labor and skill required varies 
widely, depending entirely upon the nature of the case, the number 
of parties, and the time consumed in accumulating evidence. Suffice 
it to say that our fees will be found as low as can possibly be made, 
consistent with the magnitude of the case, and we give full particu- 
lars as to terms before proceedings are instituted. 

Interferences are of very rare occurrence. 



INFRINGEMENTS. 

Infringement is the illegal use, sale, or manufacture of a patent- 
ed article. After you have obtained a Patent no one has the right to 
make, use, or sell the invention except with your consent. If another 
person makes your patented invention solely for private experiment, 
to test the sufficiency of the Patent or improve upon the invention, it 
is not infringement, nor is it an infringement for anyone to patent im- 
provements he makes on a patented invention. 

You can depend upon it that a Patent obtained through us will be 
as broad in scope as your invention ; it will cover every novel element 
and Tvill protect you against any one who would dare to illegally in- 
fringe your rights thereunder. 

It is not said boastingly, but as a duly-authenticated statement 
of fact, that Patents obtained through us are "Patents that Protect." 
The claims — which are the very strength and life of the Patent — 
are formulated, under our policy, with the utmost skill and care, every 
invention being closely and critically studied and all of its various 
functions and adaptations adroitly elaborated and discussed in the 
specification of the application, so that the claims will broadly compre- 
hend the fullest novelty. Under this system of thoroughness and 
exactitude our clients are insured to a maximum degree against in- 
fringing and being infringed. 

If your Patent is obtained through us you are welcome to write 
us for advice at any time if your rights are assailed. We will in- 
form you promptly and fully what is best to do, and for such advice 
will make no charge. 



26 Ge;orge S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



APPEALS. 

It is a strict rule of our practice to exhaust every resource to 
secure allowance of Patent from the Primary Examiner, yet it hap- 
pens in rare instances that a case is finally rejected, either because 
there is inability on the part of the particular Examiner in charge to 
comprehend the novelty and usefulness of the invention, or because 
there is a disagreement as to the pertinency of references, and the Ex- 
aminer is obstinate in his refusal to yield his position. 

To provide for these contingencies the Government maintains a 
Board of Examiners in Chief, an authority higher than the Primary 
Examiners, and consisting of three persons eminently quaHfied to 
decide questions involving the most intricate technicalities of the 
arts and sciences. From this board appeal may be had to the Com- 
missioner of Patents in person, who is next in authority to the Court 
of Appeals of the District of Columbia, a third tribunal of appeal. 

The Government fee for appeal to the board is $io, and our fee 
ranges from $io to $25, depending upon the nature of the case. 

Appeal to the Commissioner demands a Government fee of $20, 
and our fee ranges from $20 to $50. 

Cost of appeal to the Court of Appeals of the District is governed 
by the nature of the case and attorney fee must be regulated by agree- 
ment. 

The foregoing is stated for the information of inventors. Our 
management of cases before the Primary Examiners is such that there 
are extremely few cases in which appeal is even a probability. 

REJECTED CASES. 

The fact that your application has been rejected by the Primary 
Examiners of the Patent Office, does not mean that the invention is 
lacking in patentable novelty or inherent merit. It may be that 
through incompetence, or inexperience, or both, or on account of 
mattention and neglect on the part of your attorney, the invention 
has been improperly and inefficiently set forth in the specification and 
drawings or has been weakly and inadequately defended against 
objections raised and Patents cited by the Examiners and for this 
reason the grant of a Patent denied ; or without realizing the expert 
technical knowledge required, you have yourself attempted the prose- 
cution of the application, and received notification from the Patent 
Office that the case must be entirely re-prepared. 



Patents Guaranteed. 27 

It is a common incident in our practice to aid inventors who find 
themselves in such predicaments. Our charges are moderate and we 
act promptly and decisively. Give us the name of the invention, date 
of filing, and serial number. We will send you a Power of Attorney 
for signature, which will give us access to the file of the case in the 
Patent Office, and enable us to make a skilled examination into its 
condition and report to you whether in our opinion a Patent can be 
obtained and exactly what our charge will be to obtain it for you. 

COPIES OF PATENTS. 

Complete printed copies of the drawings, specifications and 
claims of any Patent granted since July i, 1S61, will be mailed by 
us to any part of the United States for 10 cents each. 

Drawings only, of Patents issued prior to above date, can be 
furnished, as the Government has not printed the specifications and 
claims. The latter will be furnished in typewritten form at a reason- 
able charge governed by number of copies wanted and number of 
words. 

Remit with order and give approximate date of Patent and name 
of patentee, otherwise a search of the official records would be 
necessary, involving extra cost. 

FOREIGN PATENTS 

The United States Patent Laws apparently contemplate that an 
invention patented here is also worthy of protection abroad, in the 
principal countries at least. In many countries a Patent obtained 
after the invention is patented elsewhere is invalid and worthless. 
For this reason it is of vital consequence that Foreign Patents be 
applied for before the final Government fee, for the United States 
Patent, is paid into the Patent Office. 

Our laws provide a period of six months after your application 
IS allowed at any time within which the final Government fee may 
be paid, thus enabling you to complete financial arrangements for the 
taking out of valid Foreign Patents. Your allowed United States 
application is held secret until the final Government fee is paid, so 
that no one can apply in foreign countries ahead of you. 



28 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 

For the convenience of inventors the countries foremost in im- 
portance are treated here and costs stated. If your United States 
Patent application required more than one sheet of drawings, add 
$5, for each sheet in excess of one, to the amount quoted for each 
country. 

CANADA. 

Owing to the close proximity of Canada to the United States 
and the brisk and augmenting commercial intercourse between the 
two peoples, every inventor should avail himself of the great advan- 
tage to be gained by taking out a Canadian Patent. 

Canada embraces the provinces of British Columbia, Nova 
Scotia, Prince Edward's Island, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick 
and the Northwest Territory ; a vast domain greater in area than the 
United States. 

The whole outlay required to secure a Canadian Patent is $35, 
which includes the Government tax, agency, and all charges for the 
patent. 

Important. — Unless you can file your application in Canada 
within three months from date of your United States Patent you 
should not fail to lodge a "Notice of Intention to Apply." Otherwise 
you cannot stop anyone who commenced the manufacture of your 
invention in Canada before issuance of Patent there. For the prep- 
aration and filing of the Notice our charge is $5. We would advise 
that you file application for Patent within three months from issue of 
United States Patent, and thereby save the cost of the notice. The 
sooner you file the better. 

ENGLAND. 

The commercial importance of England is such that no intelligent 
person can fail to comprehend the momentous benefits to be realized 
from patenting a meritorious invention there. The English capitalist 
is quick to invest liberally, because he well knows the ready recogni- 
tion of the skill of our inventors in all portions of the world. 

An English Patent covers England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and 
the Isle of Man, aggregating a population of nearly forty millions. 

The total cost is $50, which includes the Government fee. 



Patents Guaranteed. 29 



Provisionai. protection, resembling that aflforded by a United 
States Caveat, and enduring for six months, may be obtained under 
the English Patent laws. Total cost, $25, To file application com- 
plete after provisional protection and obtain Patent, $50. Term, 
fourteen years. 



FRANCE AND COLONIES. 

$60. — The term of a French patent is fifteen years, and includes 
Algeria, Senegal, French Soudan, Dahomey, French Congo, Mada- 
gascar, French Indo China, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, 
New Caledonia, Tahiti, etc. Next to England in value to the patentee 
is France. Her manufacturers are enterprising and quick to appre- 
ciate and adopt inventions of American origin. 



GERMANY AND COLONIES. 

$65. — The term of a German patent is fifteen years. German 
design patent, term three years, $35, extension for three years longer, 
$30. German patents include Germany, German East and South 
West Africa, Kameron and Togo Land, German Papua, Bismarck 
Archipelago, Caroline Islands, Kiou-Chui, etc. Germany is pro- 
gressive and is rapidly adopting and perfecting American methods. 



BELGIUM. 

The cost of a Belgian patent is $35; term, twenty years. Belgium 
is the manufacturing center for a large part of Europe, and is one 
of the most desirable countries in which an American inventor can 
apply for patent protection. 

Denmark, $50; term, fifteen years. 
Norway, $50; term, fifteen years. 
Sweden, $55 ; term, fifteen years. 
Switzerland, $50; term, fifteen years. 
Portugal, $100; term, fifteen years. 
Spain, $55 ; term, twenty years. 
Italy, $70; term, fifteen years. 



George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



RUSSIA. 

The cost of a Russian patent is $80; term, fifteen years. A valid 
patent can be obtained in Russia after the issue of the United States 
patent. The Russian Empire inchides Russia, Poland and Siberia, 
and covers the enormous territory of ten milHon square miles. Its 
population is three times that of any European country. Russia is 
a continent in itself and is one of the most prominent fields for 
American inventors. 

Hungary, $60; term, Fifteen years. 

Austria, $60; term, fifteen years. 

Turkey, $80; term, fifteen years. 

MEXICO. 

The cost of a Mexican patent is $75 ; term, twenty years. 
America is now connected with all parts of Mexico by rail, and our 
commercial relations are therefore very close. Great progress has 
been made in Mexico of late and a great number of factories are 
located there. Patents on mining machinery are especially valuable. 

ASIA. 

India, $So; term, fourteen years. 

The patent covers all of British India, including Burmah; popu- 
lation, 300,000,000. The application should be filed within one year 
of the issue of the United States patent. 

Ceylon, $175 ; term, fourteen years. 

Empire of China, $100. 

Japan, $90; term, fifteen years. 

AFRICA. 

Cape Colony, $125 ; term, fourteen j'cars. 

Natal, $100 ; term, fourteen years. 

Egypt, $125 ; term, same as applicant's United States patent. 

CENTRAL AMERICA. 

Honduras, $175 ; term, ten years. 

Nicaragua, $175 ; term, five to ten years. 

CosTa Rica, $225 ; term, same as United States Patent. 



Patents Guaranteed. 



WEST INDIES. 

CuBA^ $70; term, seventeen years. 
Jamaica, $125. 
Trinidad, $140. 
Barbados, $100. 
Bahama Islands, $125. 

SOUTH AMERICA. 

Brazii,, $125 ; term, fifteen years. 

Argentine Republic — Patents are granted for five, ten and 
fifteen years ; cost respectively, $130, $175, and $280. 

Chili, $230; term, ten years. 

Peru, $280; term, ten years. 

United States of Columbia — Patents are granted for five, ten, 
fifteen and twenty years ; cost respectively, $140, $190, $240, and $290. 

THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH. 

The Australian colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, Queens- 
land, South Australia, Tasmania and West Australia have been 
formed into a commonwealth. One patent only is necessary now, 
where six formerly were required. The cost of the new Common- 
wealth patent, which is granted for fourteen years, is $85. An inven- 
tor cannot afford to neglect to secure a patent in the Australian Com- 
monwealth, as the country is progressive and rich. On account of 
the gold and copper mining industries the population is rapidly 
increasing. Coal, iron, tin and other mineral wealth abounds. The 
production of wool is greater than that of any other country in the 
world. Immense tracts of land are being opened to cultivation and 
settlement. The increasing activity demands the introduction of 
inventions and labor-saving devices and systems of every character. 
The prosperity of Australia is evidenced by the fact that the standard 
of living and the consumption of commodities per capita are the 
highest in the world. 

NEW ZEALAND. 

The cost of a patent in New Zealand is $50 ; term, fourteen years. 
The same progressiveness and commercial activity are apparent in 
New Zealand as in the Australian Commonwealth. 



Patents Guaranteeb. 33 



SPECIAL OFFER. 

American inventors, owing to special facilities afforded, take 
out more patents in Canada, England, Germany, France and Belgium 
than any other countries. These five countries will secure to the 
inventor the exclusive monopoly of his invention among one hundred 
and forty-five millions of the most enterprising and progressive peo- 
ple of the world. When patents are ordered in all of these countries 
at the same time we make a special rate of $230 for them, which, as 
will be noted, is a considerable reduction from the rates quoted for 
these countries separate^. 

COMBINATION RATES. 

By special arrangements with our foreign agents, we are able 

to offer reduced rates when applications in two or more countries 

are filed at the same time. The following groups of countries have 

been specially selected with a view of reducing the total cost to the 

minimum, and a comparison of the charges named with those for the 

same countries singly will show the saving to the applicant : 

Great Britain, France, Belgium and Canada $170 

France, Italy and Belgium 140 

Germany, Austria and Hungary 160 

Great Britain, Germany, France and Canada 200 

Sweden, Norway and Denmark 150 

Brazil and Mexico 240 

Canada and Mexico 105 

The charges quoted in the above lists include the total cost of 
securing patents in the respective countries. We wish to state with 
emphasis that the figures quoted include all costs, without any extra 
charge whatever for securing the foreign patents, including our fee, 
Government fees, drawings, etc. We make this statement because 
our charges are considerably lower than those asked by others, and 
our clients are continually asking us if our fees cover the total cost 
for foreign patents. 

We guarantee to secure the patent in foreign countries or return 
our fee, with the exception of Germany and Austria. 

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 

Select the country or countries in which you want a patent, and 
remit $5 for each country named. We will then send you application 
papers for approval and execution, according to the schedule of 
prices ; or, if you prefer, send the full amount in the first remittance. 



34 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 

An important exception to the rule that Foreign Patents must 
be applied for before issue of United States Patent, occurs when the 
United States Patent has issued early enough to admit of the filing 
of foreign cases zvithin twelve months of the date of filing of the 
United States case. 

Also, issue of a Foreign Patent before applying in the United 
States will not invalidate United States Patent if application is filed 
Zi-ithin tzuelve months from date on ivhich foreign application ivas 
filed. 

HOW TO GAIN PROFIT BY INVENTION. 

Not everyone has Inventive Genius, but a Multitude of Persons who have 
Do Not give it I^xercise. Others Mentally work out Valuable Devices and 
Lack the Energy or Foresight to Patent Them. Many Patented Inventions have 
Proven Worth Thousands of Dollars for Every Minute of time Consumed in 
their Creation. 

To profit by invention one must not only create the invention, but make it 
practical, from a financial standpoint, and protect it by a Patent. 

The way to invent is to study how an existing device can be made to 
better answer its purpose; or to conceive a new purpose and devise a mechanical 
means for carrying it out. The field for invention is without bounds or limits. 
There are more opjiortunities for originating new and patentable, and profitable, 
devices today than there have ever been before, because it is an immutable physi- 
cal law that every new condition works a change in other conditions requiring 
expedients for adapting and harmonizing one condition with another. The In- 
vention of the railway, for example, effected a revolution in social and indus- 
trial life throughout the world and hundreds-of-thousands of other inventions, 
extending into every conceivable art, were a natural consequence. 

Anyone of average intelligence can determine for himself tvliat to invent. 
Pie needs but to study objects entering into daily use about him. There is 
room for improvement in everything, and these improvements if patented are 
bound to yield large money reward under good management. All patentable 
inventions are regarded by the Patent Office as improvements, for the reason 
that the very spirit of invention is to improve upon existing conditions. No 
doubt every reader of these lines has exclaimed, "Why didn't I think of it!" 
on seeing some simple, money-making article. Hundreds of such articles are 
patented annually. The Inventors who "keep their eyes open," and not only 
think, but act are justly the ones enriched. Ability to invent is the greatest 
natural endowment bestowed by a kind Providence. He who fails to exercise 
the faculty, gets no reward, and, as a rule, such go through life without finding 
reward in anything. 

The most wonderful feature of invention is that a mere suggestion, or a 
mental hint, of some new thing, will soon assume perfection under careful 
thought, and this "thinking out" process is the thing needed to attain success. 

The Inventor who does not act after he has "thought out" his invention, has 
made a failure from the standpoint of profit. 

The first thing you should do after you have conceived an improvement 
is to write us, explaining your idea fully, and submit a sketch to enable us to 
make an examination as to patentability. If our report is favorable file an 
application at once. The chance to obtain a Patent on a meritorious invention 
is a business chance of rare value, but, like any other good business chance, 
must be promptly taken advantage of to realize that value. 

After your Patent is obtained, the question as to the best way to obtain 
profit from it arises. If you are a manufacturer, or if you have had experience 



Patents Guarante;e;d. 35 



in the organization of capital for the promotion of business enterprises, you do 
not need advice. If you would sell your Patent outright, or by territorial 
allotments, the following important suggestions should be observed: 

Have absolutely nothing to do with patent selling agents, so-called, who 
load your mail with their persuasive and deceptive letters and circulars as 
soon as your Patent issues. (They get your name and address from the 
Patent Office Gazette, which circulates widely.) This warning is unnecessary 
if you have ever had dealings with these sharks, for "a burnt child shuns 
the fire." As we cannot undertake here to expose their many tricks, we ask 
you to take our advice as it is intended — for your good — and shun them, no 
matter how plausible their arguments. It is a matter of personal trraiificstion 
and pride with us to have our clients realize abundant profit from their l'ater,ts; 
therefore, had we faith in these agencies, would be eager to recommend them. 

A common dodge of the "Patent selling agent" is to pretend to have found 
someone who will buy your Patent if an investigation proves its validity, and a 
certain person (who is in league, of course,) is recommended as the proper one 
to make the investigation, for which you must pay a good fee. But it is all a 
game and the buyer a myth. With hardly an exception the agency claims 
to demand no fee until a sale is made, getting you to sign a contract to that 
effect, yet at the next turn you are asked to send money, on one pretext or 
another. You may be asked by one of these concerns to advance money 
for the alleged purpose of advertising your invention in a long list of news- 
papers, yet no one ever heard of a Patent sold in this way. To sum up our 
advice: Don't bite, no matter liozv tempting the bait. 

The value of a Patent depends upon the value of the invention as a 
marketable commodity, and if the owner would financially realize upon this 
value he must himself through his own resources or through his own and the 
resources of others, place the mantifactured article on the market ; or he must 
properly bring the patented invention to the notice of those likely to be inter- 
ested, if he would sell the Patent outright. Details of procedure for the or- 
ganization of stock companies and corporations for the purpose of promoting 
a patented invention by manufacture and sale are too voluminous to be set 
forth here. 

The majority of Inventors prefer to sell their Patents for a lump sum. 
To effect the sale the Inventor himself may well take the matter in hand or 
enlist the advice and executive ability of someone personally well-knoivn to him, 
or a person or firm zvith zvhom he has had dealings, and whose reputation for 
reliability is widely known. The prospective purchaser must have the merits 
of the invention called to his attention, and, next to a personal talk with him, 
we regard properly-conceived correspondence as the best means. The corre- 
spondence ought to be strictly business in tenor and not burdened with im- 
material matter. The Patent, if procured tnrough us, will clearly set forth 
the invention in all its details of structure and function. Mail a copy thereof 
to each person or firm addressed, and enclose a stamped envelope for reply. In 
our judgment it is not well to set a price, but solicit offers and accept the best, 
if it is reasonable. 

Advertising in papers of miscellaneous circulation such as dailies, and 
political, religious or family weeklies, we regard as of little or no value for 
effecting the sale of a Patent. Strictly technical or trade journals of the proper 
class are sometimes effective, but the cost is very heavy. Comparing results 
with outlay, the correspondence plan is undoubtedly the best, unless you can 
personally reach the party. 

We will prepare for any Inventor desiring it a list of Manufacturers, com- 
piled with careful reference to the nature of his invention. He can then per- 
sonally or by letter bring his invention to the direct attention of those most 
likely to be interested. Our charge for this list is $i. It is very important, in 
offering an invention for sale, to appeal to the right firms. This is not a. "free" 
list, made up without regard to whether the firms named therein are interested 
in the manufacture or sale of your device, but, as above indicated, is for your 
special use and advantage. 

It is bad policy to offer a Patent for sale before issue thereof. If Patent 
has issued the prospective purchaser is assured that the invention is new and 



36 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



that you can give him a bona fide title. It amounts to the difference between 
offering that in which you have acquired actual title, and that in which your 
title is only prospective. 

The strongest argument, however, against attempting sale prior to issue, is 
that by making your invention public you run the risk of being barred from 
the procurance of valid Foreign Patents, for, in the more important countries, 
any public knowledge whatever of the invention prior to filing applications in 
those countries, will invalidate Patent, even if obtained. 

Good Patents for good inventions are always salable. Your invention must 
be worthless indeed if you cannot realize from it many times the cost of the 
Patent. 

"A man obtained a Patent for a slight improvement in straw cutters, took 
a model of his invention through the Western States, and after a tour of eignt 
months returned with forty thousand dollars in cash, or its equivalent. 

"Another Inventor, in about fifteen months, made sales that brought him 
sixty thousand dollars, his invention being a machine to thresh and clean grain. 
A third obtained^ a patent for a printing ink, and refused fifty thousand dollars, 
and finally sold it for about sixty thousand dollars. 

"These are ordinary cases of minor inventions embracing no very con- 
siderable inventive powers, and of which hundreds go out from the Patent Office 
every year. Experience shows that the most profitable Patents are those which 
contain very little real invention, and ^re to a superficial observer of little 
value." 

Instances are numerous wherein the Inventor has made several millions 
of dollars from his invention. The Air Brake, tne Sewing Machine, the 
Telephone and Telegraph, all involve broad principles, and the original Patents, 
as well as Patents for improvements, represent an aggregate value so vast as to 
be incalculable; The very simplest patented ideas, if novel, useful or enter- 
taining, are quick and bountiful in cash returns. Dr. Higgns received over 
$100,000 in cash royalties alone, from his United States and Foreign Patents 
for the little thimble you grasp in putting your umbrella up or down; the 
rubber tip for lead pencils was equally valuable. The common lace for women's 
gloves was invented by a woman and has yielded her a vast sum. The meta. 
heel plate, and the toe tip of metal, for shoes, were each worth over a million. 



USEFUL FACTS ABOUT PATENTS. 

There are certain useful and important facts relating to the legal- rights of 
patentees which most attorneys fail in their literature to set forth, and we give 
a number of such facts here for our patrons. 

If an invention is protected by Patent in one country it cannot be manu- 
factured in another country and imported, sold or used without license from 
the patentee. 

The law requires that a manufactured article, if patented, must be so 
marked, and the customary manner of marking is to follow the word "Pa'- 
ented" by the date of the Patent. No legal right exists permitting the use of 
the mark "Patented" before the patent is actually issued. Official notification 
that an application for Patent is "allowed" does not therefore convey this 
right. 

The law attaches a penaltv of one hundred dollars for each offense for the 
fraudulent use of the mark "Patented." 

If an application for Patent is on file but not allowed, the invention must 
bear the mark "Patent Pending" or "Patent Applied For," if manufactured 
and sold. 

A license cannot be transferred unless the instrument itself embodied a 
stipulation making it transferable. 

No one has the right to make a patented device without authority frorn the 
patentee, even though maker would construct the machine solely for his private 
use and not for sale. 



Patents Guaranteed. 2>7 



After a Patent has expired it cannot be renewed, except by act of Congress. 

A reissue is one granted to the original patentee, his legal representatives, 
or the assignee of the entire interest, when the original patent is invalid or in- 
operative by reason of a defective or insufficient specification, or by reason 
of the patentee claiming as his invention or discovery more than he had a 
right to claim as new, provided the error arose through inadvertence, accident 
or mistake, and without any fraudulent or deceptive intention. Matter shown 
and described in an unexpired patent, and which might have been lawfully 
claimed therein, but which was not claimed by reason of a defect or insufficiency 
in the specification, arising from inadvertence, accident, or mistake, and with- 
out fraud and deceptive intent, cannot be subsequently claimed by the patentee 
in a separate patent, but only in a reissue of the original. 

(These facts relative to reissue of patents are set forth at length in view 
of the common mistake made by inventors in construing a reissue to mean an 
extension of the patent.) 

A patent cannot issue to a deceased inventor, bvit to his legal representa- 
tive. 

Inventions of deceased inventors may be patented by the legal representa- 
tive making application therefor in due form. 

An abandoned application is no bar to a new application for the same 
invention by the same applicant. 

When one of several distinct inventions described and shown in an appli- 
cation is not claimed therein, the issue of a patent on such application pre- 
sumptively dedicates the unclaimed invention to the public. 

After an anplicant has himself prosecuted his application to final rejection 
and has then placed it in the hands of an attorney, the Examiner will be war- 
ranted in re-opening the case for the admission and consideration of substitute 
specifications apparently presented in good faith and for the purpose of securing 
for the inventor that to which the attorney believes him entitled. 

One who employs another to make an invention for him does not thereby oe- 
come entitled to apply for and receive a patent on the invention, whatever may 
be his equitable rights in the invention and patent of his employee. 

Invention does not lie in an abstract idea of the desirability of uniting 
several old machines into one, but in conceiving definitely of a single organized 
and complete machine containing a combination of instrumentalities which per- 
form the several functions of the old machine. 

An application for a patent to be issued to joint inventors must be signed 
and sworn to by all the inventors and an application for such a patent made Dy 
only one of such inventors cannot be entertained even although the other of 
such inventors already has a sole patent for the same invention and refuses to 
join in a joint application. 

Two maj' properly take out a patent as joint inventors when one of them 
orig'inated the leading principles, and the other exercised inventive talent in per- 
fecting it. 

An inventor may adopt minor improvements in his invention, which arc 
suggested by another, and the latter does not thereby acquire any interest in the 
invention. 

The Patent Office cannot permit the record of an application once filed to 
be in any way altered by so radical a measure as the removal of one of its parts, 
as by the transfer of drawings, to a substituted application. 

When all the parts of an application except the fee have been deposited in 
the Patent Office, they will not be returned to the applicant. 

Patent will issue jointly to an assignee and applicant when the latter so 
requests in the recorded assignment. 

An assignment regular on its face and regularly recorded must be con- 
sidered an absolute assignment imtil cancelled upon the written consent of both 
parties, or upon the decree of a competent court. 

In order to give an employer a right to an invention of an employee, on 
the ground that the latter was employed to invent it for the benefit of the 
former, it must very clearly appear that such was the condition of the employ- 
ment. 



Patents Guaranteed. 39 



If a person once conceives the main idea of an improvement, valuable minor 
results contributed by a workman in reducing the invention to practice without 
rejecting the original idea and proceeding upon a wholly distinct and separate 
plan, belong to the former as a part of his invention. 

When all that is new and patentable in a device is embodied by an em- 
ployee at the express direction of the employer and according to his ideas, the 
invention is that of the employer. 

It is a well established principle that an inventor has the right to employ 
the mechanical skill of others to carry out his ideas without forfeiting his right 
to the invention. 

An earlier conceiver, by merely making a model and showing it to some 
persons, afterward doing nothing more, does not give or abandon the inven- 
tion to the world so as to deprive a subsequent conceiver of his right to a 
patent. 

The prompt filing of an application is evidence that a reduction to practice 
was successful. 

An inventor who, after reducing his invention to practice, deliberately 
conceals it from the public, is not entitled to a patent as against one who 
during such concealment has independently invented the same thing and has 
patented it in good faith and in ignorance of the fact of invention by the first 
party. 

He who merely suggests that an invention may be made and furnishes 
the rneans to do it is not the inventor as against the mechanic who devises the 
practical method of making the invention. 

He who employes an old device in a new or modified way to produce a 
new and useful result must be regarded as an inventor. 

Where one is first to conceive an invention, but throws aside all evidence 
of the conception, makes no eft'ort to complete or introduce the invention to the 
public, and delays making application for a patent until another has brought 
it into extensive use, has no standing as an inventor. 

The law does not look with favor upon a party who withholds the knowl- 
edge of his invention from the public by a negligent postponement of his claim 
until others have made and introduced the same. 

He is the real inventor and entitled to the patent who first brings the 
machine to perfection and makes it capable of useful operation, although others 
may have previously had the idea and made some experiment toward putting 
it in practice. 

pe;rpetuai, motion. 

The Patent Office refuses to grant patents on perpetual motion inventions, 
and vyill not even consider an application based on such a theory without a 
full-sized working model. Consequently we always advise our clients to file a 
caveat, in order to afford time to test and perfect their invention, and furnish 
a working model of their device before applying for patent. The Patent Office 
also holds these views in the case of airships or flying machines of the type 
which have no balloon or similar attachments, and contemplate creating power 
to provide for their own buoyancy. 

distinguished AMERICAN INVENTORS. 

W. M. Jenne, of Ilion, N. Y., was a mechanic working by the day when 
he began to produce typewriting inventions. His ideas in this line have brought 
him wealth and he is now superintendent of a typewriter manufacturing com- 
pany. To Jenne and C. E- Sholes — two men whose names are almost unknown 
to the general public — is chiefly due the development of the writing machines 
of to-day. Sholes, who died rich, began as a mechanic, and a universally 
known typewriter was to a great extent his creation. 



40 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



Mergenthaler, who received millions from the linotype machine, was 
originally an expert mechanic, engaged in making telescopes and other scien- 
tific apparatus. His contrivance is now in use all over the world, the mechan- 
ical compositor having taken the place of the human typesetter in nearly all 
great newspaper offices. 

L. C. Crowell was likewise a toiler at day's wages when he began to invent 
improvements in printing machines. His contrivance for folding, which brought 
him a large fortune, made possible the present enormous editions of many paged 
newspapers. Up to that time the lack of a folding device had set a limit on 
the output of the printing press, but now the Crowell folder takes the sheets 
as they receive the impressions, packs them into neat shape, and stacks them 
up all ready for distribution, 

Frank A. Johnson was a mechanic in Minneapolis when he took out his 
first patent for a typesetting machine. His inventions in this line have 
brought him wealth. 

The process of welding metals under water by means of the electric arc 
was not recognized at first as a great discovery. Its inventor, George P. 
Burton, was a mechanic, and every cent he could get hold of he spent on his 
idea, until, just as he had begun to despair, he sold a part interest in his 
patent for $100,000. 

Alexander P. Morrow was a mechanic employed by a bicycle company 
when he invented the coaster-brake which bears his name. Two hundred and 
fifty thousand of these brakes have been sold, and the royalty has made Mr. 
Morrow rich. 

F. A. Flanegin had a little jewelry shop in Washington, but at length he 
devised a method of cleaning oil wells by dropping an electric stove down into 
them. Formerly, when such wells became choked with paraffin they were 
cleaned by exploding nitro-glycerine cartridges, which was a costly method and 
risky. The electric stove process, which is cheap and can do no damage, has 
made the inventor a rich man. 

William Painter, of Baltimore, was a poor man. The notion of crimping 
a piece of metal around the neck of a bottle, to take the place of a cork, struck 
him, and he became well off. Many bottles nowadays have such caps. 

Augustus Schultz, of New York, invented the modern method of tanning, 
which has reduced the process of making leather from an affair of a year or 
two to one of a few weeks, thus revolutionizing the business. All of the thin, 
tough leather manufactured nowadays is made in this way. When Schultz 
began his experiment he was so poor that, it is said, he had to prepare his 
solutions in tumblers. His invention made him rich. 

Charles M. Hall was a student at Oberlin College when he discovered a 
solvent by which aluminum could be separated from its ore. Though the metal 
is very plentiful in nature, the difficulty was to part it commercially from other 
substances with which it is commonly found combined. Hall solved this prob- 
lem, and his process, which is in use to-day, has made a fortune for him. 

Charles J. Van Depoele, inventor of the under-running trolley, was a 
mechanic. Now, thanks to this and other ideas in regard to railroading, he 
is a rich man. 

Emile Berliner was a clerk, and he paid a mechanic fifty_ cents a night 
to teach him something about electricity. The teacher was very ignorant of the 
subject, and that was one reason why Berliner was led off the beaten track. 
He began to make discoveries, and finally he evolved ideas which made the long 
distance telephone possible, the Bell apparatus being good only for short dis- 
tances. The monopoly of the Bell company is now held under the Berliner 
patents, and the ambitiotis clerk is well to do. 

Thomas L. Wilson, of New York, was a dabbler in experimental chemistry. 
He hit upon a cheap method of making carbide of calcium, which up to that 
time had been known only as a laboratory product, and the discovery has brought 
him wealth, calcium carbide being the source of acetylene gas. 

Dr. Bell, the telephone man, was a school teacher. He took the first 
working model of his telephone to John A. Logan, and offered him a half 
interest for $2,500, saying that it would do away with the telegraph, and that 



Patiints Guaranteed. 



there were millions in it. I,ogan said: "I dare say your machine works per- 
fectly, but who would want to talk through such a thing as that, anyway? I 
advise you to save your money, young man." Telephone stock is worth to-day 
$80,000,000 or some such sum, and Bell got several millions of the money. He 
offered a tenth interest to an Examiner in the Patent Office for $100. It was 
refused. The tenth was worth $1,600,000 within 15 years. 

Edison was a telegrapher when he made his first important invention. He 
took it to a company on Broadway, New York, and the manager told him he 
would pay $36,000 for it and not a cent more. The future wizard was as- 
tounded, never having thought of receiving such an immense sum. He feared 
the check might be bogus, and was sure of it when the paying teller refused 
to cash it offhand. However, when he secured identification the money was 
handed to him. It was the greatest day in Edison's life, and, though he has 
received millions since then for his ideas, he has never been made so happy 
by a subsequent success. 

Hugo Cook, of Dayton, Ohio, was a worker for wages in that city when 
he made the invention upon which one of the most efficient cash registers in 
the market is based. He receives a royalty of $2 apiece, and enough are sold 
in a year to give him an income of about $25,000. 

W. Li. Bundy was a watchmaker when he invented the workman's time 
recorder, which is now coming into use all over the world for the purpose of 
keeping "tab" on employees in factories and other business establishments. 
Large capital has been invested in the contrivance, and Mr. Bundy is a rich 
man. 

Westinghouse, who invented the air brake, was a machinist. His idea was 
worth millions to him. 

Gramme, a Belgian, who invented the ring dynamo, was a carpenter by 
trade, employed in the making of models for electric machines. He could 
hardly read or write, but he bought a dictionary and book on electricity and 
tried to teach himself. His invention revolutionized the manufacture of dynamos, 
brought him a fortune and made him famous. 

Of course the foregoing are but a few of numberless instances showing the 
opportunities open to those in every walk of life, who are alert to the spirit 
of progress now moving the whole civilized world. Many an humble toiler has 
been raised from comparative poverty to plenty, or from a modest income to 
affluence by a fortunate exercise of the inventive faculty. Good inventions 
never found a more ready market or at higher prices than obtain to-day, and 
rich opportunities are open to those of every age and sex. 



MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS. 

Every mechanic or inventor should study to avoid clumsiness in the con- 
struction of his model or machine and so arrange the several parts as to pro- 
duce the result desired with the least number of parts possible. He should, 
therefore, be very careful to select as far as possible the simplest and best 
forms of mechanical movements. For this purpose we have compiled together in 
a compact manner a large number of the most practical, simple and inexpensive 
mechanical movements such as are most generally used in all classes of ma- 
chines. Among them the mechanic or the inventor may find at a glance just 
such a movement as is best suited for his purpose, and may find the several parts 
best adapted for any special combination of mechanism. The following is a 
brief description of the various movements as numbered: 

1. Pulleys with a belt passing thereover. 

2. The ordinary sliding clutch and pinions. 

3. Means for imparting a jumping motion to a horizontal arm. A cam 
secured to a cog-wheel alternately lifts and drops said arm. 



^ ffl 




3 



M 




1 










12 








'^ JL 





22~E^ 




MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS 



Patents Guaranteed. 43 



4. Elliptical spur-gear for securing variable speed. 

5. Beveled gears. 

6. Means for imparting an alternate rectilinear motion to a rack-rod by a 
continuously rotated mutilated gear. 

7. Means for transmitting motion from one shaft to another, said shafts 
being in the same plane, but at right angles to each other. 

8. Pulleys for lifting weights. 

9. An eccentric upon a revolving shaft adapted to impart a reciprocating 
movement to a yoke strap. 

10. Two forms of universal joints. 

11. Differential gears. The inner and outer gears move in opposite direc- 
tions at different speeds. 

12. Different kinds of gear for transmitting rotary motion from one shaft 
to another arranged obliquely thereto. 

13. Means for imparting a partial revolution to a ratchet-wheel at the com- 
pletion of each revolution of the main wheel. 

I4._ A tilt hammer. The wiper-wheel lifts the hammer four times each 
revolution. 

15. Means whereby a reciprocating rectilinear motion of a vertical rod 
transmits an intermittent circular motion to a toothed wheel. 

16. An ordinary sliding clutch and pinions. 

17. Sun and planet motion. The outer gear is fixed to the connecting link 
and moves around the axis of the fly-wheel. 

18. Means whereby the reciprocating motion of a jointed rod produces an 
almost continuous rotary movement of the ratchet-face wheel. 

19. Gearing for transmitting a continuous rotary motion to a vertical 
shaft from a horizontal shaft, by the alternate revolution of gears upon said 
horizontal shaft. These gears are loose upon their shaft, and have ratchets 
which are engaged by pawls fixed to the shaft. 

20. Means for transmitting rotary motion from one shaft to another at 
right angles thereto. 

21. Multiple gearing. The triangular wheel drives the large one. 

22. A simple ore stamper or pulverizer. The plunger is raised and dropped 
twice for each revolution of the shaft. 

23. Variable rotary motion produced by uniform rotary motion. 

24. Ordinary crank motion. 

25. Air pump; piston motion. The racks are moved in opposite directions 
by the revolution of the gear. 





26 



( (/ O S)) 




28 



rniniiirniii 




30 





34 




36 





38 



40 



41 




42 



;^,,..\ ^<^ 





44 



45 



46 







MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS 



Patents Guaranteed. 45 



26. Crank motion. The wrist-pin upon the disk works within the slotted 
yoke. 1 1 

2T. Centrifugal governor for steam engines, etc. 

28. A lower fixed rack having a gear mounted thereon and meshing with an 
upper movable rack. As the pitman secured to the gear reciprocates, said gear 
revolves and imparts a movement to the upper rack which is double that of 
the gear. 

29. Means for imparting a reciprocating rectilinear motion to an upright 
rod by rotating an upright shaft having an oblique disk secured thereto. 

30. A heart-shaped groove engaged by a lever, is adapted to impart an 
irregular swinging motion to said lever. 

31. A triple cam adapted to lift the rod three times at each revolution of 
the disk to which said cam is secured. 

32. Means for producing a uniform reciprocating rectilinear motion by the 
rotary motion of a grooved cam. 

33. A carpenter's bench-clamp. By pressing a strip against the crossed ends 
of the dogs, the rounded heads thereof will clamp said strip. 

34. Means whereby a reciprocating motion is imparted to a frame by a 
continuously rotating shaft. This shaft has three wipers adapted to contact 
with inwardly extending arms within the frame. 

35. Means whereby the rotation of two spur gears having crank wrists 
produces variable alternating traverse of a horizontal bar. 

36. Means for converting uniform circular motion into alternating motion. 
Cams are mounted upon a revolving shaft and alternately lift and drop levers 
to which are attached rods. 

37. An ellipsograph. By attaching a pencil or other instrument to the 
cross-bar ellipses may be readily drawn. Studs upon the bar engage the grooves. 

38. A fiddle drill. A strap is secured between the ends of a bow and 
encircles a shaft or drill which is revolved by the back and forth motion of 
the bow. 

39. A crank substitute. Two loose pinions with reverse ratchets are at- 
tached to the shaft, with pawls on the pinion ratchets. Each rack meshes with 
the reverse pinion for continual motion of the shaft. 

40. Metal shears. The arm of the moving blade is raised and lowered by 
the revolution of the cam. 

41. A vertically movable presser platen. This platen issecured by a rod to 
a toothed sector pivoted within a frame and which receives motion from a 
small pinion meshing therewith. 

42. Means for converting circular motion into variable alternating rectil- 
linear motion. A wrist-pin upon a revolving disk works within a slotted lever. 

43. Means for converting circular into rectilinear motion. A waved wheel 
mounted upon a rotary shaft rocks a lever upon its fulcrum. 




48 




52 
tie 



53 




:)D 




A6 



57 „ 





60 



61 








64 



65 



66 





58 



*(§) 



MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS 



Patents Guaranteed. 47 



44. "I,azy tongs." A system of crossed levers pivoted together by which 
the amount of a rectilinear motion is increased by the proportional number 
of sections in the tongs. 

45. A rack adapted to receive rectilinear motion by the rotary motion of 
toothed wheels meshing therewith. 

46. Means for converting reciprocating rectilinear motion into intermit- 
tent circular motion. 

47. I^ink motion for locomotives. The slotted link is moved up and down 
over the wrist pin block bjr the lever and connecting rod; the lever, locking 
in the toothed sector, allowing for a close connection to the valve stem by a 
lever and short connecting rod. 

48. Valve motion and reversing gear. The slotted link receives a rocking 
motion from the eccentrics and rods, and is thrown from its center either 
way for forward or back motion of the engine by the lever secured thereto. 

49. Safety stop for elevators. When the cable breaks,^ the bow spring will 
force the plungers secured to the bell-crank levers outward into engagement with 
the racks. 

50. Mangle rack, guided by rollers and driven by a lantern half-pinion. 
The long teeth in the rack act as guides to insure a tooth mesh at the end of 
each motion. 

51. Breast wheel. The power of this wheel equals about forty per cent, of 
the value of the waterfall flowing through the gate. 

52. Single acting pumping beam. Parallel motion is received from a sector 
beam. The cylinder is open and the piston is lifted by the weight of the 
pump rods on the other end of the beam. Movement of the piston is reversed 
by atmospheric pressure. 

53. A gyroscope or rotascope. The outer ring is fixed to a stand. The 
intermediate ring is pivoted vertically therein. The inner nng_ is pivoted in 
the intermediate ring at right angles thereto and the globe is pivoted at right 
angles to the inner ring. 

54. Wheel work used in the base of a capstan. The central gear is fast 
to the shaft. The intermediate pinions are loosely mounted upon a frame 
secured to the drum. The gear ratchet ring runs free on the shaft. 

55. Scroll gears. For increasing or decreasing the speed gradually during 
one revolution. 

56. Pantograph. For reducing or enlarging copies of drawings. The free 
ends of the arms are provided with drawing instruments which are adjustable. 
The point of connection between the two intermediate arms is fixed. 

57. Diagonal catch and hand gear used in large blowing and pumping 
engines. 

58. Ball and socket tube joint. 

59. Toe and lifter for working puppet valves in steam engines. The lower 
arm or toe is_ secured to a rock shaft operated from the engine shaft and is 
adapted to raise and lower the lift or upper arm which is secured to the valve 
rod. 



j9 





72 



74 




7b 



76 






79 



(rXlJ 



80 



81 




82 







B4 





87 



.^ 






38 





91 



MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS 



Patents Guaranteed. 49 



60. A rotary engine. This engine lias two abutments and two inlet and 
exhaust ports. 

61. A horsepower tread wheel. The horse is placed below the shaft and 
between the spokes which are arranged at the sides of the wheel. 

62. A four-way cock. 

63. A swape, or New England sweep. The weighted end of the pole over- 
balances the bucket so as to divide the labor of lifting the water. 

64. Ordinary screw-propeller. 

65. Chain pump. 

66. Rotary engine, in its simplest form. 

67. Hydraulic ram. The "Montgolfier" idea for a fountain supplied by a 
water ram. 

68. Means whereby rectilinear motion of variable velocity is imparted to a 
vertical bar by turning a shaft having a curved slotted arm thereto. 

69. Friction gear. Variable speed is obtained from the pair of cone pulleys, 
one of which is the driver. The intermediate double-faced friction pinion is 
moved from one end to the other of the cones. 

70. Barker wheel. The reaction of the water escaping from the tangential 
orifices at the ends of the arms under the pressure of the water-head in the 
hollow shaft gives impulse to the wheel. 

71. "Root" rotary blower. The extended surface of the periphery of the 
wheels allows them to run loosely in the shell without friction and with very 
small loss by air leakage. 

72. An elastic wheel having a steel spring tire with jointed spokes. 

73. Globoid spiral gear wheels. The revolution of the globoid gear gives 
a variety of differential motions to the spur gear, as it swings between the 
limits practicable with the globoid teeth. 

74. Ratchet head with spring pawls. 

75. Means for transmitting rotary motion to an oblique shaft by means 
of contacting drums having concave faces. 

76. A reversing movement for a pump valve. The piston rod trip carries 
the ball frame beyond the level, when the ball rolls across and completes the 
valve throw. 

77. Multiple speed gear in line of shaft. The small intermediate gear is 
secured to the small shaft. The central intermediate gear is secured to_ the large 
shaft, while the large intermediate or end gear is fixed to the bearing. The 
side beveled pinions are revolvable with the large shaft. With this device 
speed may be increased or decreased on a continuous line of shafting accord- 
ing to the relative number of teeth in the different gears. 



so George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



78. Toggle joint cam movement, for throwing out a number of grips at 
once, by the movement of the jointed ring within the disk. 

79. Anchor escapement for clocks. 

80. Cam bar valve movement. The horizontal movement of the cam bar 
by the bell crank lever alternately moves the two valves. 

81. Double acting lift and force pump. 

82. Rack and pinion movement for bracing spiral grooves on a cylinder. 

83. Right angle shaft coupling. A number of right angle steel rods move 
freely in perforated guide flanges on the ends of shafts that are arranged at 
right angles. In this manner motion may be imparted from one shaft to the 
other. 

84. Grooved friction gearing. 

85. Revolving rapid blow hammer. 

86. Rotary multi-cylinder engine. The cylinders revolve with the fly-wheel 
and the crank to which the pistons are secured is eccentric thereto. 

87. Pendulum water lift. 

88. Means whereby rectilinear vibrating motion may be imparted to a 
spindle having an endless worm gear, by a spur-gear sector. 

89. Mangle wheel with equal motion forward and return. The end of the 
shaft of the pinion is slidably mounted within the groove and retains said pin- 
ion in mesh. 

90. Tin-tooth wheel and pinion. 

91. Disk shears. 



Patents Guaranteed. 



WHAT TO INVENT 



In presenting the following suggestions to inventors, we make no pretense 
whatever, nor would we wish inventors to understand that no patents have been 
granted in the classes named. What is particularly wanted are devices which 
in themselves possess superior merits to those in common use. 

1. An automatic self-inking proof roller. 

2. Devices for conveniently keeping record of telephone messages sent. 

3. White indelible ink, for marking black clothing, would find a ready 
sale. 

4. A practical self-inking type-writing machine, dispensing with carbon 

ribbons. 

5. A blotting substance of increased absorbent nature which is better than 
blotting paper. 

6. A substitute for tar or metal as a roofing material. Cheap, durable 
and water proof. 

7. A new and perfect artificial fuel, compounded from natural products, 
and cheaper than coal. 

8. A device for quickly and effectively cleaning hair brushes. Also toilet 
articles of general use. 

9. New systems of house heating and ventilation are in demand. No per- 
fect system is yet in use. 

10. A practical automatic cut-off safety gas cock, whereby the flow of gas is 
permitted only when lighted. 

11. A process and apparatus for drawing electrical energy from the atmos- 
phere and storing it for use. 

12. Means for breaking cars and other vehicles which will be quick-acting, 
and will not "flat" the wheels. 

13. A practical device for regulating incandescent electric lights which can 
be turned partly off or on like gas. 

14. Type-setting and casting machinery on the plan of the "linotype," but 
more simple and easier in operation. 

15. Improved electrical conductor, lessening resistance to the current and 
loss thereby by leakage and radiation. 

16. A noiseless typewriting machine is greatly needed. All workers in 
modern offices will appreciate this invention. 

17. Fashionable confectioiners want a box which cannot be repacked with 
confections of an inferior grade without discovery. 



^ 



i 




Patents Guaranteed. 53 



1 8. A tough transparent substitute for glass, which will not crack under a 
high degree of heat, and will withstand a great strain. 

19. A perfect fire-proofing compound, which will not injure the materials 
to which it is applied, and which is safe and inexpensive. 

20. An improvement in doors similar but superior to the "revolving door," 
which has been a financial success, but has some objections. 

21. Improvements in key action, carriage movement, ribbon and other parts 
of writing machines, to cheapen the cost and enhance speed and accuracy. 

22. A simple cork extractor which will not break up the cork and cause 
portions of the latter to fall into the bottle will satisfy a general demand. 

23. A simple and effective coffee mill for domestic use, provided with 
means for regulating the degree of fineness to which the coffee is ground. 

24. Improved machinery and apparatus for curing, stripping and packing 
tobacco. The present methods require much space and great loss of time. 

25. Special machinery for shoe-lasting, book-binding, metal-working, and 
other purposes. Improvements upon machinery in general use are often very 
valuable. 

26. A safety envelope that cannot be opened without detection is greatly 
desired. There are some inventions in this line, but there is still room for im- 
provement. 

zj. An invention for holding up a lady's skirt when walking in the street 
would be highly appreciated by the ladies, especially if thev are encumbered 
with bundles. 

28. A more sensitive and accurate diaphragm for telephones, phonographs 
and similar instruments, whereby the sounds produced will be clearer, louder 
and more natural. 

29. Journals for car and other axles have been much improved, but "hot 
boxes" are still of trequent occurrence. Improved metals for anti-friction bear- 
ing can be patented. 

30. A preserving^ compound for wooden piles is desired on the Pacific Coast 
that will make piles immune from the attacks of teredos and other form of de- 
structive marine life. 

31. A wash-board with soaping apparatus or means embodied therein, and 
so arranged that the soap would be applied by the action of rubbing, would be 
a profitable invention. 

32. Ingenious articles of utility formed of wire bent from a single piece, 
and therefore extremely cheap. This applies particularly to household and store 

fittings and simple implements. 

33. An ink bottle which will permit of the insertion of a pen point therein, 
will provide a regular depth of dip for the pen point, and will prevent the 
evaporation of ink contained in it. 



54 George S. Vashon & Co.^ Washington, D. C. 



34. An improvement in printing presses to do away with tlie necessity for 
an elaborate make-ready. Much time is lost in overlaying and underlaying 
forms that would be saved by such a device. 

35. An invention is desired which will make a horse secure on his legs on 
slippery pavements. 

36. New construction of boats and methods of boat propelling. Some- 
thing better than paddle wheels or screws. Water drawn in at the bow of the 
vessel and forcibly expelled at the stern has been tried. 

37. A better type of fixed ammunition for rapid-fire guns is greatly desired. 
We would suggest a caseless charge compressed in the form of a solid cylinder 
and attached in some manner to the base of the projectile. 

38. A safety stirrup, one that would be so arranged by a spring or other- 
wise that instead of holding the rider's foot when a horse falls, the weight of 
the rider pulling backward or downward would cause the release of the foot. 

39. Why cannot a system of bundle carriers, such as are used in dry 
goods stores, be devised for public restaurants? The advantages of such a 
system are many, and would effect a great saving of time and labor. 

40. An automobile street sweeper is also desired — one that will sweep the 
dust direct from the street into a dust bin carried by the machine where it could 
be dampened, thus causing no dust to be thrown out during its operation. 

41. New labor-saving means in washing, wringing, drying and ironing clothes 
would be profitable and should have a ready sale in the market. Laundry im- 
provements, when properly protected, are always appreciated and have a quick 

sale. 

42. New compositions of matter. Dye-stuffs are patented in great num- 
bers, and some very valuable. Mere prescriptions can not be patented, but new 
chemical compounds, such as phenacetin, are patentable, and often yield great 
profits. 

43. Improvements in apparatus for generating and using acetylene gas are 
now especially wanted. This gas has been proved a valuable illuminating me- 
dium, and simple means for safely generating and storing and using it are 
valuable. 

44. A practical crude oil burner. There are two main lines of invention 
in this class. One is for supplying the oil mixed with steam for combustion, 
and the other is for turning it into vapor and mixing it with air, burning it in 
that form. 

45. A motor plow that could be easily handled and operated would revolu- 
tionize existing agricultural methods. Besides the motor plow there are_ other 
farm implements where the principle of the automobile could be applied to 
advantage. 



46. There is a great demand for an automatic telephone exchange, by 
of which connections will be made automatically, greatly facilitating the ser- 
vice, and doing away with salaries of large numbers of persons usually employed 
at the exchange. Recent experiments of Dr. Pupin have demonstrated that the 
Trans-Atlantic telephone is feasible. Quadruplex machines will also come in 
time, and it may be as easy to send four or five messages over a single wire by 
the telephone as it is by the telegraph now. 



Patents Guaranteed. 55 



47. A storm-proof cover and sun-shield for standing crops, such as choice 
garden products. A cover which is cheap and simple, and can be easily manipu- 
lated. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of crops are destroyed by the 
elements annually. 

48. The need of a practical spark and cinder arrester for use on railway 
locomotives is apparent to all who travel, as frequent fires are ignited by the 
sparks, and the cinders have a disagreeable habit of making known their pres- 
ence in various ways. 

49. An apparatus for utilizing the great cold producing power of liquefied 
air to cool houses in summer. The time may not be far distant when houses can 
be provided with an ice plant or cooling room which will be operated by 
simply turning on a spigot. 

50. A bottle for containing mucilage which is so constructed that when 
the brush is in place a complete closure of the upper end of the bottle will be 
effected, and which will prevent the gumming and sticking of the brush to 
the inside of the neck of the bottle. 

51. A bottle or stopper therefor so constructed as to prevent the bottle 
from being filled a second time. Manufacturers of proprietary compounds, 
liquors, perfumery, sauces, etc., are on the lookout for something practical 
of this kind which can be manufactured at a small cost. 

52. Another field which has not been successfully exploited is the shucking 
of oysters and clams. Any simple mechanism for accomplishing this object 
would, in all probability, prove an immensely valuable invention, as the pres- 
ent hand work is necessarily slow, tedious and expensive. 

53. Removing coke from ovens. Perhaps the most serious drawback to the 
production of coke is the apparent impossibility of removing the coke from the 
oven without cooling the oven. The process now employed of cooling the oven 
with water generates steam which affects the structure of the oven injuriously, 
and materially lessens its usefulness and durability. A practical process for 
removing the coke without cooling the oven will be an invention of unusual 
value, as it will save thousands of dollars annually to the coke industry. 

54. An automatic stoker to replace firemen on locomotives is sure to be 
adopted in the near future. 

55. An electric flat iron, so constructed that it could be heated by elec- 
tricity and propelled by it, but controlled by the hand of the user, would be a 
blessing to thousands of hard-working housekeepers who do their own ironing, 
and to all laundry workers. 

56. A machine which will pull or throw up beets and other like products 
out of the ground and top and clean the same, would also be a valuable inven- 
tion, buch a machine might resemble a self-binder or analogous harvester, and 
should include mechanism to withdraw the beets or other products from the 
ground, convey them upwardly by means of an endless belt, in accurate position, 
to Knives or cutters where they could be chopped, and from the knives or cutters 
pass through a cleaning apparatus or means. 

57. An economical means of absorbing the vibration of both electrical and 
steam motors in automobiles is a desirable invention. This means should be 
light in weight and inexpensive. The vibration of the motors in automobiles 
tends to rock and strain the bodies of the latter, and at present cumbersome 
vehicle constructions are necessary to withstand the wear and tear. Means 



Patents Guaranteed. 57 



for muffling the noise or sound emanating from automobile motors is also de- 
sirable. Means for condensing exhaust steam in locomobiles without obstruct- 
ing or retarding the exhaust, and to automatically relieve such means of the 
water of condensation, eitner by exterior outlet or returning it to the boiler or 
feed pipe. An absolutely safe structure to prevent explosion or injurious results 
due to the use of vapor or gasoline engines or motors in locomobiles, such as 
thermal or heat controlled vents, valves and similar devices in conjunction with 
the vapor or gasoline supply tank and cylinders. 

58. In order to cheapen the manufacture of acetylene gas, some means 
will have to be discovered for economically producing magnesium carbide, to 
compete with calcium carbide now commonly used, and from which less gas 
can be produced than from a corresponding quantity of magnesium carbide. 
Those_ inventors who operate in the field of chemistry will find it profitable to 
experiment in an economical production of magnesium carbide. 

59. The man who invents a really practical corn busker which will husk 
standing corn is assured of a fortune. As in the case of the trying work of 
picking cotton, but little help has been given to the farmer by the inventor. 
Numerous attempts have been made, but none of the machines constructed have 
proved practicable. One of the latest is a combination of the corn binder and 
the husker and the shredder, which is attached to the ordinary farm wagon. 
The fingers of the husker collect the stocks and convey them to the rollers of 
the shredder, where the husks are removed and the ears elevated to wagon box. 
The principle seems to be all right, but the practicability of the machine is yet 
to be demonstrated. Some day the successful machine will appear. 

60. A cotton picker to replace the ordinary methods of picking cotton by 
hand is desired by cotton raisers, and if a successful machine of this class is 
produced the inventor will receive a well-merited income therefrom. 

61. A telescopic or folding umbrella, that can be easily and quickly reduced 
to complete form and when folded will not be cumbersome and bulky, would be 
a valuable and most profitable invention. Many attempts have been made to 
accomplish this result, but such complex and expensive structures have always 
been presented in the known folding umbrellas that they have been of small 
commercial value. 

62. A prize of i,ooo francs ($163) will be given the inventor who shall 
produce a glove that can be used by electrical workmen to safeguard them from 
accident. The premium is offered by the French "Accidents to Workman Assur- 
ance Association." The conditions are that the gloves must cover the forearm 
as well as the hands; that they must be light, and leave the utmost liberty to the 
worker. If_ none of the devices submitted come up to the required standard, 
the prize will be divided among those inventors who most nearly approach it. 

63. A_ bottle containing poisons having a practical device for attracting 
the attention of those handling the same, or to indicate by some means that its 
contents are of a poisonous nature, is in demand. The device or structure for 
notifying the user of the dangerous character of the contents of the bottle can 
be applied either to the neck, body, or stopper of the bottle, but in devising 
such indicating means care should be taken to avoid cumbersome or imprac- 
ticable structures. 

64. The use of aluminum for the manufacture of small articles, such as 
spectacles and eye-glass frames and the like, is prohibited by reason of a failure 
to successfully solder separate ahiminum parts to complete a full organization of 
members of such devices. In the arts generally the use of aluminum is also 
prohibited where it is necessary to connect separate parts by reason of a lack of 
a proper solder for this purpose. The inventor who discovers an economical 
means of soldering aluminum will reap a considerable fortune. 



58 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



65. Owing to the destruction of pasturage, cereal crops generally, and 
growing vegetables, by prairie dogs, gophers and similar small animals, serious 
havoc has resulted from the inroads of these pests. Attempts to practically 
exterminate them have failed. An economical method or means for this purpose 
would be very valuable. The extermination of these pests can be effected, in 
all probability, by some yet undiscovered simple destroyer, either of a chemical 
or mechanical nature. 



66. Find a substitute material having all the characteristics and advan- 
tages of yieldable India rubber and your fortune is made. Owing to the enor- 
mous consumption of this substance, the expense of commercial production 
and the_ rapidly growing scarcity of the natural product, due to the reckless 
destruction of trees and plants which are the source of the same, the rubber 
output is becoming diminished, and its commercial value correspondingly in- 
creased every year. 

_ 67. Many devices and various kinds of apparatus have been produced for 
extinguishing fires in the holds of vessels. This field of invention is still 
ripe, however, for the harvest of fertile brains of inventors, and a simple effec- 
tive extinguishing means of a comparatively inexpensive nature that will not 
obstruct the capacity or operate in a manner to contaminate the cargo of the 
hold of a ship will result in a magnificent remuneration to the fortunate 
inventor who discovers the same. 

68. There is a demand for a painting machine of simple construction, 
embodying a gang or series of revolving brushes operated by electricity or 
direct mechanical means or by compressed air, and to which the paint may 
be fed by a conduit running to a supply tank or receptacle. If compresed air 
be the operating means the paint from the source of supply could be forced 
upwardly to the brushes by such air, and moreover the application of the 
paint to a surface of a building or other device could be more evenly spread by 
compressed air. 

69. A simple and absolutely reliable spring cushion device or analogous 
buffer to prevent accidents and loss of life from falling elevators is wanted. A 
magnetic check, automatically energized by a pre-determined slack in the cable 
through the medium or intermediate device, would also be advantageous as 
a safety device for an elevator. There is also room for improvement in auto- 
matic closers for elevators. In this class of inventions, the usual disadvantageous 
forms of dumb-waiters might be replaced by more economical and practical 
structures, and numerous automatically operating devices, both mechanical and 
electrical, could be devised for raising and lowering such waiters. 

70. A very convenient and profitable invention would be an automatic 
signal to notify icemen, grocers, butchers, milkmen, or other tradesmen when 
they are wanted. Such a signal might be located at the front of a residence 
and operated from tne interior of the latter, so_ that the tradesman desired could 
see_ the same in passing and take an order without requiring any one in such 
residence to go to the place of business of the various tradesmen. 

71. New principles in cash registering means and purchasing indicators 
are always in demand and anxiously sought by the manufacturers of cash regis- 
ters. Cash registers as now manufactured are more or less expensive and em- 
body complex features. A departure from the ordinary methods of cash- 
registering constructions with quick, practical results and efficiency, would be 
a source of substantial income to the fortunate inventor devising and protect- 
ing the same. 



Patents Guara.nteed. 59 



"/z. An improved method or means of exterminating flies, roaches and 
other similar pests in houses, hotels and restaurants is greatly desired. The 
means now employed are rarely effective and are frequently of such an ex- 
tremely poisonous nature as to be dangerous in their use. Within this same 
class of invention, practical means of exterminating mosquitoes is also desired, 
particularly in view of the fact that recent experiments have demonstrated that 
mosquitoes spread the germs of malaria, yellow fever, and kindred diseases. 



73. A practical household ice machine in connection with a refrigerator 
which could be operated by a Vv'ater or other similar motor, would be a valuable 
invention. In devising a machine of this class it is suggested that means be 
provided for producing the ice directly in the refrigerator and if some inexpen- 
sive chemical or electrical means for this purpose is discovered a long felt want 
will be supplied. 



74. A practical, cheap and efficient pocket match box, which will be con- 
structed and operated by simple manipulation to deliver one match at a time, 
would be a most valuable acquisition to this class of devices. There is a demand 
for an improvement in the usual form of match boxes, in view of the fact that 
those that have heretofore been devised were of such a complex and expensive 
nature that they had but a limited commercial value. 



75. A boot blacking machine for effectively polishing the parts of a boot 
or shoe and operated by the nickel-in-a-slot principle, is wanted and would 
be a profitable field of invention in which to enter. Such machine would have 
to include a motor and mechanism for applying and rubbing on the polish, and 
might be in the form of brushes or textile bands, or both. 



76. If incubators are made that are mechanically regulated and held to a 
given degree of heat, with an electric bell to call when there is need of atten- 
tion, why cannot a cook stove be produced on the same plan? This stove 
should contain a series of ovens controlled by thermometers and equipped with 
a simple electrical appliance to call when there is danger. The heat in one 
oven could be regulated to cook meat, eggs and other albuminous foods; 
another oven to be regulated for boiling purposes. In another, the heat could 
be regulated for baking bread, etc. 



TT. Printing without type. Not only has this been accomplished by tne 
inventor of this system. Mr. Friese-Green, but he has actually succeeded in 
printing in colors without the use of any pigment whatever. _ This process is 
accomplished through the use of electricity and can be applied to any press, 
it being only necessary to remove the ink roller. This invention opens up an 
endless field of invention. 



78. There is a great demand for .a practical wall papering machine. By 
this is meant machines that are readily portable and to which the_ paper may 
be easily applied and delivered therefrom to walls or ceilings by a simple opera- 
tion. A machine of this character, embodying features to permit the operator 
to stand at a distance from the wall to be covered and dispose the machine at 
the proper angle to_ the wall or ceiling as to obtain a square application of the 
paper will solve this problem. 



Patents Guaranteed. 6i 



79. A practical musical instrument which shall produce orchestral music, 
including the representation of a violin, cornet, trombone, flageolet, flute and 
piccolo, bass viol, snare and bass drum, leaving the expression of the music 
under the control of the operator. Also, in connection with such instrument, a 
machine for preparing perforated sheet music with which to operate the musical 
instrument. 



80. Many attempts have been made to practically cool and ventilate cars by 
replacing vitiated air with successive or continuous charges of fresh air from 
the exterior. Some of these have been more or less successful, but in the pres- 
ent systems, under the most favorable circumstances, the apparatus used mater- 
ially adds to the expense of the car equipments, and in some structures the thor- 
ough ventilation and cooling of a car is not effected equally throughout the in- 
terior area. 



81. Inventions for the utilization of waste products, or by-products, result- 
ing from the treatment of various articles or commodities in manufacturing, are 
always successful if practical and meritorious. For example, the numerous so- 
called "waste products" of the packing houses of Chicago and other places are 
turned to account, and are probably as profitable as the meat or principal pro- 
duct. In the same manner waste and by-products of soap factories, dye works 
and numerous other establishments are utilized and made sources of profit. 
Inventions resulting in the utilization of such common waste products as 
ashes, furnace slag, sawdust and oyster shells, cannot fail to prove successful on 
the market. 



82. The utilization of the sun's rays for mechanical purposes is now actively 
engaging the attention of inventors. The most practical apparatus up to the 
present time is one recently tested in Southern California. It consists of a large 
reflector in the shape of an umbrella with the top cut away. The inner surface 
is lined with numerous small mirrors, which concentrate the sun's rays and direct 
them upon a boiler located within the reflector. 



83. After centuries of use, the cork-closing bottles are passing slowly away, 
and rubber, metal, glass, pasteboard and pulp coverings are taking the place of 
cork. Success awaits the inventor who hits the popular taste for a cork sub- 
stitute. Fruit jars have long had patent tops, beer is seldom sold in any other 
way; and milk is now put up in bottles that have little covers of metal. Citrate 
of magnesia bottles have now a special stopper of their own. Rubber corks 
are made in great quantities, and glass tops to ordinary corks are made for 
the high-class drug and perfume trade. The mechanism now coming into use 
for the soda and beer bottles, and fruit jars as well, is the eccentric one in 
which a double wire loosely clasping the neck of the bottle, when pushed up, 
raises the stopper cleanly and easily. 



84. There is a large fortune in store for some energetic inventor who will 
devise a bob-sled or the like having practical means of propulsion controllable 
within the confines of the body of the sled and departing from the usual grip- 
ping or traction wheel devices heretofore invented for this purpose. A valuable 
feature of construction in automobile sleds would be means for practically 
ascending grades or hills by step movement, and also to have the propulsive or 
operating mechanism capable of being thrown out of contact with the surface 
over which the sled is moved to adapt the latter to descend grades by its own 
momentum. Reliable steering devices for a sled of this class would also have 
to be provided. 



62 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



85. Sooner or later the faithful tow-path mule will be emancipated. At- 
tempts have been made to propel canal boats by the trolley system, but thus far 
without complete success. Two obstacles must be overcome before practical suc- 
cess is reached. One is the provision of means for maintaining the trolley in 
effective contact with the conductor, and the other the prevention of "side 
wash" or undue disturbance of the water which undermines the canal banks. 
The benefit to the shipping public which would result from a more expeditious 
canal service can not be estimated. 



86. In a railroad disaster in the tunnel of the New York Central Rail- 
road great destruction of property and loss of life ensued from the explosion 
of the Pintsch gas reservoirs. The use of gas is therefore shown to be as 
dangerous as the car stove, and the discovery of some illuminating means that 
will not tend to fire the same in the event of accident will prove to be a valuable 
invention. 



87. There is great demand in eyeglasses for some means of practically secur- 
ing the extremities of the nose-spring, the nose-pad arms and the 
posts secured to the lenses which will resist accidental loosening and annoying 
movement of the lenses. Many attempts have been made to successfully arrive 
at this result, but they are all more or less disadvantageous, and the means here- 
tofore used have been either cumbersome or weaken the strength of the parts 
which they engage. Every one seems to have followed the old plan in the use_ of 
a screw, and if some one should devise a simple and positive means for securing 
the parts of an eyeglass without the use of screws, and without detracting in the 
least from the strength of said parts, immediate adoption of such device would 
follow. 



88. Another promising field is that of single-rail railways, commonly known 
as "mono railways." There is room for great improvements in this class of 
inventions, both in the structure of the railway itself and in cars adapted 
thereto. Recent European experiments in mono railways have demonstrated 
the wonderful advantages of single-rail track, both in speed and safety; and 
the near future may witness the practical development of this class of invention. 



89. Prairie fires. This subject offers an opportunity for inventors to devise 
a machinefor moving over the ground surface similar to a horse rake or culti- 
vator, having means for burning the grass down to the ground for a space of 
about 8 or 10 feet in width, using gasoline to ignite the grass, and a train of 
steel brushes or other devices to extinguish the flame before it is permitted to 
spread, thus creating a fire guard. 



90. No practical device has been discovered that will utilize the power of 
the waves and the tides. The main obstacle to success in getting the ocean into 
harness has been to provide a motor that would withstand a heavy surf. The 
latest attempt in this line_ proposes a series of submerged pistons worked on 
buoys, whose constant motion is expected to compress air. 



91. Incandescent gas lighting approaches perfection in house illumination, 
and is now generally used. A serious drawback to this system of lighting, how- 
ever, is the fragile and perishable character of the mantles employed. What 
is needed is a mantle which will not break in ordinary handling, or if accidentally 
dropped a distance of a few feet. Also one which will not melt or crack when 
exposed to the temperature of burning coal gas, and which will not become use- 
less if bent out 01 its original shape. 



Patents Guaranteed. 63 



92. Women are always on the outlook for curling tongs or irons, hair curl- 
ing devices generally, and other mechanical articles for the toilet. New ideas 
in corset, placket, glove, shoe and hat fasteners command a ready sale. Simple 
attachments for belts which prevent sagging and displacement, and novelties 
in pocketbooks, cravat and necktie holders are very much sought after. 

93. Novel and sensational advertising devices, especially for store window 
displays, find ready sale. 

94. Means for protecting shores which will prevent the undermining of 
buildings situated on the beach. Every year thousands of dollars are lost by 
reason of the breaking of the buttresses or breakwater, caused by high waters, 
which removes the foundation of buildings, and causes the collapse and entire 
loss of the same. 

95. A prolific field for the inventor is offered in the line of sub-marine 
vessels. Already the British and French Governments are building a number 
of vessels- of this class. The patent rights in all countries, excepting the United 
States, for the Holland sub-marine boat, have been acquired by the Vicker & 
Maxim Company; and commercial activity in this line of invention has already 
begun. 

96. A paste composition for friction matches, free from phosphorous, would 
revolutionize the manufacture of matches. The composition should offer such 
resistance to shocks ana friction as to prevent apprehension of danger from ex- 
plosions during the process of manufacture. It should also be free from chem- 
ical ingredients injurious to the health of those employed in the manufacture of 
matches. 

97. An alloy for armor plate, and a process and apparatus for making the 
same. The question of obtaining armor plates for forts and war vessels which 
shall be able to withstand the heavy projectiles which are now used is occupying 
the attention of all the principal nations of the world, and any improvement 
in this class of inventions would be readily adopted. 

98. For years various inventors have been attempting to secure a substi- 
tute for the razor. Recently a Frenchman thought he had solved the problem, 
but after his device and an electro-chemical combination had been used in 
the barber shop a few days, the customers discovered that the instrument 
burned and blackened their chins and the inventor was obliged to flee before 
their rage. Nevertheless there is a fortune for the inventor who discovers a 
harmless substitute for shaving. 

99. Novel devices or structures, on the order of merry go-rounds, toboggan 
slides and the Ferris wheel, for use at summer resorts, fairs and expositions, 
are always in demand, and, as a rule, are very profitable. The most recent 
inventions in this line are the centrifugal railway, in which a car describes a 
circle, and is maintained on the rails by centrifugal force; the "aquarama," or 
voyage on the rivers of the world; and the "hotel topsy turvy," in which every- 
thing appears to be reversed, or upside down. 

100. Novelties in culinary utensils, or labor-saving devices for the household 
like egg beaters, vegetable parers, can openers, coffee pots, window or floor 
cleaners, tack pullers, carpet stretchers, sweepers, cleaners and beaters, dusters, 
polishers, cabinets, and flour and ash sifters, are always salable. 



Patents Guaranteed. 65 



1 01. A simple device for tightening woven wire bed springs. Any one who 
has used these kind of bed springs knows that in a short time the wire stretches 
or springs, causing a sagging in certain parts_ of the bed. A device which will 
provide means for overcoming this objection is very much desired. 



102. A druggists' prescription file which will enable prescriptions to be com- 
pactly filed away in regular order, kept clean, and at the same time rendered 
quickly accessible for several years back, so that any desired prescription may 
be readily found, removed and replaced without disturbing others. 



103. A practical machine for scaling fish is also an invention which ought 
to prove successful, as this work is now done altogether by hand. In large 
establishments for the handling and canning of fish some rapid and labor- 
saving means for removing the scales or cleaning fish are demanded. 



104. A wash basin having means for closing and opening the discharge 
therein without the necessity of inserting the hand into the water contained in 
the basin. Some simple device which will take the place of the ordinary plug 
and chain, and will add little or nothing to the expense, is what is desired. 



105. Owing to the destruction of forests, and the growing scarcity of wooden 
ties, a demand has arisen for a substitute. Metal ties have been used for some 
time on European railways. It would seem that some kind of a hollow steel 
tie, filled with cement or some other practical construction, would fill the need. 



106. One of the things which the average street railway manager is in 
search of is a satisfactory convertible car, which will save him the necessity 
of doubling his equipments and of providing storage room for the closed cars in 
summer and the open cars in winter. Experiments should be along the line of 
convenient disposition of the seats and the replacement of the ordinary side 
curtains which are of very little protection in wet weather. Some simple 
means of temporarily collapsing or throwing out of use of window sections so 
that they may be readily drawn into operative position will be a step in the 
direction of solving the problem. 



107. Any one who can invent a process which will save half a cent a ton on 
the present system of loading coal into ocean steamers should be able to sell 
his invention for a very large sum. Among the great needs of the Navy is 
some easier method of coaling ships at sea _ from colliers, especially when the 
sea is rough. A method that would accomplish this result with more ease than 
it is now accomplished, would do as much to improve the efficiency of a fleet 
of battleships as would an improvement in the making of armor or the inven- 
tion of a more efficient gun than is now known. 



loS. Liquid blacking is much more convenient to apply to boots or shoes 
than the solid blacking or paste, but most of the devices for handling it hith- 
erto produced are not easy to manipulate, the common practice being to apply 
the liquid with a sponge attached to a wire inserted in the cork_ of the bottle. 
Attempts have been made to arrive at a successful use of liquid blacking in 
connection with a brush, but like most original inventions this class is subject to 
a wide range of improvement and affords an opportunity for an inventive mind 
to produce a simple and effective brush construction for applying liquid black- 



66 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



109. Any improvement tending to the amelioration of the condition of those 
who delve in the bowels of the earth for their bread would be a boon to human- 
ity. The prevention of explosions from fire damp, and the purification of the 
unwholesome atmosphere of the mines are subjects worthy of the attention of 
the thinker and inventor, not only from the humane standpoint, but also from 
a business point of view. Mine owners are quick to adopt practical ideas look- 
ing to the comfort or safety of their operatives, or adapted to facilitate the 
work of mining. 

no. A mechanical device or machine for plucking feathers from fowls 
would form a commercially valuable invention if constructed to operate effici- 
ently and practically. Such a machine should comprise means for completely 
removing the feathers, and ejecting the fowl from the machine thoroughly 
picked and ready for dressing. 

111. A device by means of which a hat, coat or umbrella may be hung up 
with security from thieves is something which has not yet been successfully de- 
veloped. An effective and comparatively simple invention in this line would be 
one of value, and one which would be readily adopted. Security is the prime 
consideration, but expense and ease of manipulation are factors not to be 
ignored. 

112. One of the most profitable fields of invention at the present time is 
a smoke consumer for stoves and furnaces. If one knows the composition of 
smoke and understands that it is merely unconsumed flakes of carbon floating 
in non-combustible gases he need not be a chemist to see that smoke abatement 
is merely a question of fuel. If soft coal was perfectly consumed the gases that 
escape through the chimney would be colorless; that is, there would be no car- 
bon or soot in them and hence no smoke. It is obvious that this line of inven- 
tion lays open a valuable territory and encourages inventors to experiment and 
to cover by patent every field relating to improvements in stoves and furnaces 
with this end in view. 



113. Notwithstanding the wonderful development of improvements in railway 
construction and equipment during the past quarter of a century, this field of 
invention is still an attractive one for the inventor. With respect to the locomo- 
tives, economy in fuel is an important consideration, and inventions looking to 
the consumption of the products of combustion, and the arresting of sparks and 
cinders are in demand. Improvements which increase the safety of trains are 
also of value, and if practical can be readily placed. In connection with railway 
inventions, it may be suggested that apparatus for weighing the cars of a train 
with reasonable accuracy while moving either separately or loosely coupled, is 
something which railway companies need, and would doubtless promptly adopt. 
Car heating and yentilation,_ devices for improving the road bed and track struc- 
tures, are all subjects to which the inventor can profitably direct his ingenuity. 



114. A reliable automatic gas governor, which may be attached to a meter 
for regulating the flow of gas through the meter, and preventing the waste there- 
of. Most of the devices of this kind now on the market are unsatisfactory, be- 
cause they require constant attention and become inoperative after having been 
in use a. short time. A simple, inexpensive and effective gas governor would 
meet with a ready sale. 

115. To penetrate the fog at sea has always been and still is a problem, and 
a fortune awaits the solver of this problem. Audible signals, such as alarm 
whistles, have been insufficient, and a new idea must be evolved in which the 



L,mxi. 



i 



Patents Guaranteed. ^1 



audible signal will be eliminated or combined with other safeguards. While 
no specific suggestion can be offered, it is probable that electricity will play 
an important part in the successful working out of this important matter. 

1 1 6. There is an actual demand for a simple, inexpensive voting device, 
adapted for the use of legislative bodies. The adoption of such an invention 
by the Congress of the United States has been agitated for some time, and has 
probably only been delayed by the non-appearance of a voting machine or 
system answering the requirements as to simplicity, accuracy and expense. It 
requires about forty-five minutes to call the roll in the House of Representatives, 
and the time and expense thus involved in the course of a session can readily be 
estimated. The inventor who solves this problem will be amply rewarded. 

117. To scrape a ship's bottom without the delay and expense of dry-docking 
presents a problem to inventors, the solution of which will mean profit to the 
originator and a revolution in marine repairs. The fouling of ships by barn- 
acles and sea waste is a source of constant concern to navigators, and the 
expense of dry-docking is an important item. To free ships from the incubus 
of the sea has always been a thing desired, and sooner or later a practical 
method of accomplishing this while the vessel is afloat may be devised. 

118. Wheels, axles, bridges and rails have all been strengthened to carry 
their increased loads; but, strange to say, the splices which hold in place the 
ends of the rails, and which are really short-span bridges, are now the weakest 
part of a railway. The angle-bar splice has but one-third of the strength of the 
rail, and its strength cannot be increased, owing to its want of depth. Joints 
go down under every passing wheel, and the ends of the rails wear out long 
before the rest. 

119. The electrical storage battery is the generator of the immediate future. 
The brush battery employs lead plates which necessarily require a considerable 
generation for their own transportation. The weight of the battery is its barrier 
to commercial success. The new Edison battery, which is the most recent im- 
provement in this line, substitutes thin steel plates for lead, and the plates are 
perforated to receive cells containing compressed parcels of mixed iron and 
graphite for the positive electrode, and nickel and graphite for the negative 
electrode. The electrolytic fluid is a solution of potash, which does not affect 
the containing vessel and preserves its quality. It is claimed for the battery, 
as a result of prolonged and severe tests, that it will render two or three times 
as much service as the same weight of the ordinary lead battery. 

120. During the past few years a new field has been opened for inventors. 
To produce realistic stage effects, mechanism is required, and a number of 
patents have been recently granted in this line of invention. Examples of these 
are the patents of Neill Burgess on mechanism for producing the horse race 
in the "County Fair," and the apparatus employed in the play of "Ben Hur" 
for the illustration of the chariot race. Any invention of merit in this line will 
be readily adopted, and perhaps no class of patented devices is more profitable. 

121. This field has been extensively exploited, but new toys are always in 
demand. Simplicity is to be kept in view in toys, as the cost of manufac- 
ture is an item of first importance. However, in the line of electrically-operated 
toys which convey an elementary knowledge of electricity the cost is of sec- 
ondary consideration, novelty and originality being the essentials. In Germany 
the manufacture of toys is an important industry, and it is also an item of im- 
portance in this country. As expensive plants are ordinarily not required for 
the manufacture of toys, patents in this line are easily marketed. 



:vf I 



THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT 



Patents Guaranteed. 6g 



122. A fortune awaits the man who will invent a good substitute for leather. 
Nobody has yet succeeded in approaching it, unless it be an inventor who has 
patented a fabric, which he proposes to use, in particular, as a material 
for the inner soles of shoes and boots, though it may be employed for other pur- 
poses. It resembles what is known as split sole-leather, but is much cheaper, and 
claims to be superior, being waterproof, ^as well as stronger. _ The manufac- 
turer of this imitation leather uses the fine sole-leather dust given off by the 
buffing rolls used upon sole-leather. Hitherto this dust has been a waste pro- 
duct, but the new invention combines it with gum and employs it in this shape 
to form a coating on one or both sides of canvas or other similar fabric. As it 
dries, a sprinkling of dry leather dust is added, and the fabric thus treated 
is passed between rollers, so as to catise the leather dust to be firmly imbedded 
in the fabric and combined with it. 

123. Inventors keep pace with the times, and encourage new "fads." This 
is demonstrated by the large number of patents recently granted on golf sticks 
and paraphernalia used in the game of golf. The latest diversion in men's 
apparel is the shirt waist, and this demands a substitute for suspenders. The 
belt has been universally adopted for summer wear by men, but it falls short 
both in appearance and comfort. The lucky inventor who devises a satisfactory 
substitute for suspenders will reap a rich harvest. 

124. The greatest inventions are not necessarily the most profitable. Small 
articles which may be cheaply made, and sold at a small price, are usually 
the most ready producers of profit. The public demands novelties, and the 
inventor must supply them. It may be a difficult matter to find a manufac- 
turer and capitalist to promote a complicated machine, however meritorious, but 
comparatively easy to place a patent for a simple novelty which may be manu- 
factured at little expense. 9 

125. A successful scheme for paving alongside street car tracks is needed. 
Repairs to the paving next the rails is one of the largest items of maintenance 
of way. The vibration due to the speed of the heavy cars shatters the edges of 
the pavement and the rain and weather do the rest. 

126. Tables have been invented for ocean steamers that purport to maintain 
an equilibrium of the articles contained thereon. These have generally been 
constructed to swing or sway, but the movements have been so abrupt that 
they are not practical for the purpose, and the way is open for some one to 
devise a simple table of this character having an easy movement without jar or 
vibration. 

127. An apparatus for aerial navigation. Great strides have been made in 
this art recently, and a number of partially successful devices have been in- 
vented. There is still room for improvement, however, and the value for war 
purposes of some machine which may be propelled through the air cannot be 
overestimated. The Patent Office will not grant patents in this class unless the 
machines are provided with balloon or similar attachments, unless a working 
model is furnished. M. Santos-Dumont recently won the prize of $20,000 offered 
for the discovery of a dirigible balloon, by circling the Eiffel Tower, in Paris, 
with his air ship. He fiew high, low, in straight lines, and curves, with the wind 
against him, precisely as he willed. He proved himself master of the air as 
truly as the navigator of a steamship is master of the waves. 

128. Government officials are studying constantly to devise rapid means for 
transporting the mail for the convenience of the public. A system by which 
letters, instead of being dropped into stationary boxes, can be placed in recep- 
tacles and carried by electricity or pneumatic power to the post office should 
solve the problem. 



70 Ge;orge S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 



129. Dispatching or block signaling on electric railroads is, strange to say, 
considerably behind the perfection reached on steam railroads, and questions 
connected with signaling or controlling the traffic at meeting points are among 
the most serious now engaging the attention of the managers of the inter-urban 
lines. _ There are two general ways of dealing with this problem, first by tele- 
graphic dispatching, and second by electric block signals, automatic or other- 
wise. The possibility of using the tracks for signaling purpose on steam roads 
gives an immense advantage over electric roads in automatic signaling. The 
block system used on some electric railroads is not practically feasible by 
reason of the necessity of rail insulation in ground structures. On lines with 
dirt ballast and where one rail of the track cannot be spared from the return 
circuit for the purpose of signaling, this plan is not available. The discovery 
of a simple and practical signaling device or mechanism for electric railroads 
will prove a source of material income to the successful inventor. 

130. In connection with sea travel, another avenue to wealth is open to 
inventors, for second only in importance to preventing collisions and accidents 
at sea is the loss of life which results from such accidents. While life boats 
of various construction and of more or less merit are now carried as part of 
the equipment of sea-going vessels, perfection in this line has by no means 
been reached, and there is an absolute demand for meritorious and practical 
improvements in this line. Any invention which will add to the present safe- 
guards for ocean travelers should be successful financially, as well as a con- 
tribution to the cause of humanity. 



Patents Guaranteed. 



INDEX TO CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Appeals 26 

Applications for Patents ^ 

Assignments ] 5 

Assistance 14 

Attorneys (Value of Attorneys) 15 

Caveats 16 

Claims of a Patent '^ 

Compounds (Patents for Compounds) 17 

Copies of Patents 27 

Copyrights -. 24 

Cost of Patent 6 

Design Patents 1'' 

Distinguished American Inventors 39 

Drawings 9, 10, 12, 18, 22 

Guaranteed Certificate of Patentability 5 

HOW TO GET A PATENT 5 

How to Gain Profit by Invention 34 

Infringements 25 

Interferences 24 

Joint Applications 13 

Isabels 23 

Manufacturing under "Patent Applied For" 14 

Mechanical Movements 41 to 50 

Mechanical Drawings 10, 12, 18, 22 

Obtaining Assistance 14 

Official Drawings 9, 10, 12, 18, 22 

Perpetual Motion 39 

Prosecuting Cases Before Patent Office 9 

Rejected Cases 26 

Term of Patent 11 

Time Necessary to Secure Patent 11 

TRADE-Marks and Cost 19, 21 

Trade-Marks must be used Continuously 23 

Useful Facts About Patents 36 

Value of Attorney 15 

Who Can Apply for Patent 13 

WHAT May Be Patented 13 

WHAT TO INVENT 51 



FOREIGN PATENTS. 

Africa 30 

Argentine Republic (South America) 31 

Asia 30 

Australia Commonwealth 31 

Austria 30 



72 George S. Vashon & Co., Washington, D. C. 

PAGE 

Bahama Islands (West Indies) 31. 

Barbados (West Indies) 31 

Belgium 29 

Brazil (South America) 31 

Canada 28 

Cape Colony (Africa) 30 

Central America 30 

Ceylon (Asia) 30 

Chili (South America) 31 

China Empire 30 

Combination Rates 33 

Costa Rica (Central America) 30 

Cuba (West Indies) 31 

Denmark 29 

Egypt (Africa) 30 

England 2S 

Foreign Patents 27 

France and Colonies 29 

General Instructions 33 

Germany and Colonies 29 

Honduras (Central America) 30 

Hungary 30 

India (Asia) 30 

Italy 29 

Jamaica (West Indies) 31 

Japan (Asia) 30 

Mexico 30 

Natal (Africa) 30 

New Zealand 31 

Nicaragua (Central America) 30 

Norway 29 

Peru (South America) 31 

Portugal 29 

Russia 30 

Spain 29 

Special Offer 33 

South America 31 

Sweden 29 

Switzerland 29 

Trade-Marks 23 

Trinidad (West Indies) 31 

Turkey 30 

United States of Colombia (South America) 31 

West Indies 31 



THOMSON PRINTING COMPANY, 



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